---
title: How do stress and coping skills change during the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?
description: Stress increases and coping ability decreases before the period while symptoms worsen. This suggests stress and coping may play a role in PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-perceived-stress-and-coping-efficacy-1993/
---

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- How do stress and coping skills change during the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?

Interview study, 1993

# How do stress and coping skills change during the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?

Stress increases and coping ability decreases before the period while symptoms worsen. This suggests stress and coping may play a role in PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

12 women with premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

Qualitative study following 12 women with PMS over 8 weeks. Researchers tracked their symptoms, stress levels, and coping ability throughout the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Significant cyclical changes occurred in PMS symptoms, perceived stress, and coping ability. The highest problems appeared before the period. Coping strategies were related to symptom severity.

## What it means for you

Stress and how well women cope may contribute to PMS severity. However, this was a small qualitative study with only 12 women and no control group, so findings may not apply broadly.

12

Women studied

8

Weeks monitored

## About the study

Original title The Premenstrual Syndrome: Perceived Stress and Coping Efficacy Authors Janet Burrage, Helgo Schomer Journal South African Journal of Psychology Year 1993 Study design Interview study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/008124639302300302](https://doi.org/10.1177/008124639302300302)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)

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