--- title: What is the difference in menstrual cycle symptoms between women with and without premenstrual symptoms? description: Both groups experienced more physical symptoms in the days before their period, but only women with premenstrual symptoms experienced increased mood symptoms url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-inter-relationship-of-premenstrual-symptoms-1995/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What is the difference in menstrual cycle symptoms between women with and without premenstrual symptoms? Interview study, 1995 # What is the difference in menstrual cycle symptoms between women with and without premenstrual symptoms? Both groups experienced more physical symptoms in the days before their period, but only women with premenstrual symptoms experienced increased mood symptoms during that time. Women with premenstrual symptoms had higher scores for both mood and physical symptoms overall. Moderate study design 30 women seeking treatment for premenstrual symptoms and 19 women without premenstrual symptoms ## What they did 30 women seeking treatment for premenstrual symptoms and 19 women without premenstrual symptoms provided daily symptom reports across three menstrual cycles. Researchers used ovulation timing to standardize each cycle into 14 time points so they could compare the groups fairly. They combined 22 different mood symptoms into one score and 29 physical symptoms into two scores. ## What they found Both groups showed increased physical symptom scores in the days before their period. However, only the group with premenstrual symptoms showed increased mood symptom scores during that time. The control group did not show this mood pattern. The premenstrual symptom group had clearly higher scores on all three symptom factors compared to the control group. The symptom scores were consistent across all three cycles, suggesting these are reliable patterns. ## What it means for you The main difference between women with premenstrual symptoms and those without is that their mood changes are linked to their cycle, not just that they have more symptoms overall. The study was relatively small and tracked only three cycles. 30 women with premenstrual symptoms 19 control women 3 menstrual cycles tracked ## About the study Original title The inter-relationship of premenstrual symptoms Authors Mira M, Abraham S, McNeil D et al. Journal Psychological medicine Year 1995 Study design Interview study Participants 19 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s0033291700037430](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291700037430) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) 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 Survey study, 2026 Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help? Study, 2026 What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2026 Is academic stress linked to PMS severity in university students? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Systematic review, 2026 What life experiences and personal factors influence how severe PMS is? Survey study, 2026 Is self-compassion linked to PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗