---
title: Is severe PMS linked to psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?
description: Yes. Women with PMS have significantly higher depression, anxiety, aggression and interpersonal sensitivity than healthy women. These symptoms increase as PMS
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-between-severity-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-psychiatric-2012/
---

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- Is severe PMS linked to psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Survey study, 2012

# Is severe PMS linked to psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Yes. Women with PMS have significantly higher depression, anxiety, aggression and interpersonal sensitivity than healthy women. These symptoms increase as PMS becomes more severe.

 Moderate study design

390 women (264 with PMS/PMDD, 126 healthy) in Iran

## What they did

Cross-sectional study comparing 264 women with PMS/PMDD and 126 healthy controls in Iran. All completed questionnaires about daily symptoms and psychiatric symptoms using a standardized checklist.

## What they found

Women with PMS had significantly higher scores on depression, anxiety, aggression, and interpersonal sensitivity compared to healthy women. Psychiatric symptoms increased with PMS severity from mild to severe. Significant differences appeared between cycle day 3 and day 13.

## What it means for you

Women with severe PMS often have mental health symptoms that may need treatment. Doctors should screen for psychiatric conditions in PMS patients. Main limit: cross-sectional design, so cannot determine if PMS causes these symptoms or vice versa.

264

women with PMS/PMDD

126

healthy controls

## About the study

Original title The Relationship between Severity of Premenstrual Syndrome and Psychiatric Symptoms Authors Firoozi R, Kafi M, Salehi I et al. Journal Iranian journal of psychiatry Year 2012 Study design Survey study Participants 390 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23056116/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23056116/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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