--- title: Does reading information about negative premenstrual changes make women report more negative symptoms? description: Yes. Women who read text focusing only on negative changes reported significantly more negative and fewer positive premenstrual changes than those who read ba url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-manipulated-information-about-premenstrual-changes-on-the-report-2018/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does reading information about negative premenstrual changes make women report more negative symptoms? Randomised trial, 2018 # Does reading information about negative premenstrual changes make women report more negative symptoms? Yes. Women who read text focusing only on negative changes reported significantly more negative and fewer positive premenstrual changes than those who read balanced information or no information. Moderate study design 241 healthy university women at Philipps-University of Marburg. ## What they did A randomized experimental study of 241 healthy university women. Women were randomly assigned to read one of three texts: one with both positive and negative premenstrual changes, one with only negative changes, or a control text. After reading, they reported premenstrual changes they had experienced. ## What they found Women who read the negative-only text reported more negative premenstrual changes and fewer positive changes compared to those who read balanced or control text. Most women reported at least one positive premenstrual change across all groups. ## What it means for you What we read about premenstrual symptoms influences what we remember about our own experience. This demonstrates the power of negative messaging about menstruation. The study used healthy women without diagnosed PMS or PMDD, so findings may not apply to those with more severe symptoms. Results rely on retrospective reporting. 241 women studied 3 groups (balanced, negative, control) 2015 study year ## About the study Original title The effect of manipulated information about premenstrual changes on the report of positive and negative premenstrual changes Authors Kues JN, Janda C, Krzikalla C et al. Journal Women & health Year 2018 Study design Randomised trial Participants 241 What was tested Reading text describing premenstrual changes (balanced, negative-only, or control). Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2016.1263274](https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2016.1263274) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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 Systematic review, 2025 Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS? Study, 2026 What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 Is a negative attitude toward menstruation linked to worse PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 How much do women in Shimla know about PMS and how does it affect their lives? Randomised trial, 2024 Can group counseling focused on positive psychology reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 Does education about PMS help couples' satisfaction and adjustment? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗