--- title: Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of depression during pregnancy? description: No significant association was found. A study of 366 women found no clear link between PMS before pregnancy and antenatal depression, though the sample with P url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-association-between-premenstrual-syndrome-before-pregnancy-and-antenatal-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of depression during pregnancy? Randomised trial, 2022 # Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of depression during pregnancy? No significant association was found. A study of 366 women found no clear link between PMS before pregnancy and antenatal depression, though the sample with PMS was very small. Early or limited evidence 366 pregnant women with menstrual records (52 had PMS before pregnancy) ## What they did Secondary analysis of a pregnancy trial. Researchers tracked 366 women's premenstrual symptoms before pregnancy using a period-tracking app and measured depression during pregnancy using a standard depression scale. Of 5073 initial participants, 366 had enough menstrual records, of which 52 had PMS. ## What they found There was no significant association between PMS before pregnancy and antenatal depression, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.28 (p = 0.61). Only 52 of 366 women analyzed had PMS before pregnancy. ## What it means for you Having PMS does not appear to predict depression during pregnancy, which is reassuring. The main limitation is that only 52 out of 366 women had PMS, making the comparison very small. Also, PMS diagnosis was not confirmed with a validated tool, just tracked symptoms. 366 Women analyzed 52 Women with PMS before pregnancy 1.28 Odds ratio for antenatal depression ## About the study Original title The association between premenstrual syndrome before pregnancy and antenatal depression: A cross-sectional study with prerecorded information Authors Hidaka Y, Kawakami N, Watanabe K et al. Journal PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences Year 2022 Study design Randomised trial Participants 366 What was tested None, this was an observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.27](https://doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.27) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Apps and digital interventions](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-digital-health/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2023 Does a smartphone app for heart rate variability biofeedback reduce premenstrual and depressive symptoms? Cohort study, 2026 Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of postpartum depression? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Cohort study, 2026 Do premenstrual disorder and postpartum depression share the same genetic causes? Cohort study, 2025 Is there a link between premenstrual disorders and autoimmune disease? Cohort study, 2025 Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗