---
title: Is severe premenstrual syndrome similar to depression? | Niyora
description: Women with severe PMS report more depressive-like symptoms than those with mild PMS. The study suggests these may reflect underlying depression, but as a surv
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-an-equivalent-of-depression-1986/
---

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- Is severe premenstrual syndrome similar to depression?

Survey study, 1986

# Is severe premenstrual syndrome similar to depression?

Women with severe PMS report more depressive-like symptoms than those with mild PMS. The study suggests these may reflect underlying depression, but as a survey without medical testing, we cannot be sure.

 Early or limited evidence

1,852 randomly selected fertile women

## What they did

Surveyed 1,852 randomly selected fertile women about their PMS symptoms and compared responses from those who wanted medical help with those who did not.

## What they found

The prevalence of PMS was 72.8%. Of women with PMS, 7.5% wanted to see a physician. Women seeking medical care reported significantly more symptoms seen in depressive states. Oral contraceptives did not seem to help this group.

## What it means for you

Severe PMS with depressive symptoms might indicate underlying depression, but the study only used self-reported symptoms and had no medical testing to confirm this.

72.8%

Prevalence of PMS

7.5%

Percentage wanting physician care

1,852

Total women surveyed

## About the study

Original title The premenstrual syndrome--an equivalent of depression? Authors Hallman J Journal Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Year 1986 Study design Survey study Participants 1,852 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1986.tb02703.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1986.tb02703.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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.

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Does continuous birth control with levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol reduce PMDD and PMS symptoms?

Cohort study, 2011

Do Spanish women seek medical advice for premenstrual symptoms?

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