---
title: Do women with a history of sexual trauma have more severe PMS than other women?
description: Yes. Women who reported sexual trauma had significantly more severe PMS and different PMS symptoms compared to women without that history.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sexual-trauma-and-the-premenstrual-syndrome-1990/
---

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- Do women with a history of sexual trauma have more severe PMS than other women?

Study, 1990

# Do women with a history of sexual trauma have more severe PMS than other women?

Yes. Women who reported sexual trauma had significantly more severe PMS and different PMS symptoms compared to women without that history.

 Moderate study design

968 women aged 12 to 56 who volunteered for a study on menstrual cycles.

## What they did

A survey of 968 women aged 12 to 56. Researchers compared women who reported sexual trauma to those without trauma history, measuring PMS severity, symptoms, life stress, medical history, and other characteristics.

## What they found

Women with sexual trauma history had significantly worse PMS severity and symptoms. They also had more life stressors and different medical histories than women without trauma history.

## What it means for you

Sexual trauma and PMS appear to be linked, but this does not prove trauma causes PMS. The women who participated were volunteers responding to announcements, so results may not represent all women.

968

Women studied

12 to 56 years

Age range

## About the study

Original title Sexual Trauma and the Premenstrual Syndrome Authors L. C. Miccio-Fonseca, John Ellis Jones, Lori A. Futterman Journal Journal of Sex Education and Therapy Year 1990 Study design Study Participants 968 What was tested None - comparison study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/01614576.1990.11075000](https://doi.org/10.1080/01614576.1990.11075000)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[PTSD and trauma](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ptsd-trauma/)

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