--- title: Does having PMS increase the risk of developing depression later? description: Yes. Women who reported frequent PMS in 2000 had significantly higher odds of reporting a depression diagnosis in later years, with odds of 1.72 to 1.90 times url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-longitudinal-predictive-effect-of-self-reported-frequency-of-premenstrual-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does having PMS increase the risk of developing depression later? Cohort study, 2023 # Does having PMS increase the risk of developing depression later? Yes. Women who reported frequent PMS in 2000 had significantly higher odds of reporting a depression diagnosis in later years, with odds of 1.72 to 1.90 times higher over the next 18 years. Strong study design 8,133 women from Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, born 1973-78 ## What they did 8,133 Australian women born 1973-78 were followed from 2000 to 2018, starting at age 22-27. They completed surveys every three years (seven times total). Researchers examined whether PMS frequency in 2000 predicted depression diagnosis and depression symptom frequency in later surveys. ## What they found Women who reported PMS 'often' in 2000 had higher odds of reporting a depression diagnosis in later years: 1.72 times in 2006, 1.88 times in 2012, 1.49 times in 2015, and 1.90 times in 2018. Women with 'sometimes' PMS also had higher odds in 2012 (1.37) and 2018 (1.59). PMS frequency also predicted how frequently women reported depressive symptoms in all later follow-ups. ## What it means for you Having frequent PMS is a long-term risk factor for depression that persists for nearly two decades. The main limits are that both PMS and depression were self-reported (not clinically confirmed), results are from Australia so may not apply globally, and we cannot prove PMS causes depression. 8,133 women followed for 18 years 7 surveys every 3 years starting age 22-27 OR 1.72-1.90 depression diagnosis risk for 'often' PMS group ## About the study Original title The longitudinal predictive effect of self-reported frequency of premenstrual syndrome on depression: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health Authors Hou L, Chen L, Zhang W Journal Frontiers in public health Year 2023 Study design Cohort study Participants 8,133 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126190](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126190) Original abstract Background: Previous studies have revealed a high comorbidity between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression; however, whether PMS can longitudinally predict depression has not been examined in large sample studies. Methods: This study surveyed 8,133 women from the 1973-78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Participants completed seven repeated measurements at 3-year intervals starting in 2000 (aged 22-27 years). Binary logistic and multivariate ordered logistic regression models were used to examine the predictive role of self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in 2000 on self-reported diagnosis of depression and frequency of depressive symptoms, respectively, for each follow-up survey. Results: Self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in the year 2000 predicted self-reported diagnosis of depression in most follow-up surveys. Specifically, compared to women who reported "never" had PMS symptoms in 2000, those who reported "often" had them were more likely to report a diagnosis of depression in 2006 (OR = 1.72), 2012 (OR = 1.88), 2015 (OR = 1.49), and 2018 (OR = 1.90); and those who reported "sometimes" had PMS symptoms in 2000 were more likely to report a diagnosis of depression in 2012 (OR =1.37) and 2018 (OR = 1.59). Furthermore, self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in 2000 predicted self-reported frequency of depressive symptoms in each follow-up survey. Compared to women who reported "never" had PMS symptoms in 2000, those who reported "sometimes", or "often", had PMS symptoms reported depressive symptoms more frequently. Conclusion: Self-reported frequency of PMS can predict the self-reported frequency of depressive symptoms and the subsequent diagnosis of depression. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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 Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together? Randomised trial, 2026 Does Kundalini Reiki help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Cohort study, 2026 Does having PMS before pregnancy increase the risk of postpartum depression? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗