Survey study, 1994

Do women with a history of depression experience worse menstrual mood changes?

Yes. Women with depression history are more likely to report PMS (31.3%) and their depression during the cycle is more severe and lasts longer.

Early or limited evidence 83 women with PMS, 90 with menorrhagia, 50 with dysmenorrhea, 104 controls

What they did

Cross-sectional comparison of depression history in four groups: women with PMS (83 women), menorrhagia or heavy bleeding (90 women), dysmenorrhea or painful periods (50 women), and healthy controls (104 women).

What they found

31.3 percent of PMS women had been treated for depression, compared to 8.9 percent of menorrhagia women, 5.8 percent of controls, and 22 percent of dysmenorrhea women. Women with depression history had more severe depression in the premenstrual and menstrual phases, and it lasted longer through the cycle.

What it means for you

A history of depression increases both the severity and how long mood problems last during the menstrual cycle. This suggests PMS and depression may share biological causes. Main limit: cross-sectional design, so we cannot prove depression history causes PMS.

31.3%

PMS women with depression history

8.9%

Menorrhagia women with depression history

5.8%

Controls with depression history

About the study

Original title: Vulnerability to perimenstrual mood change: the relevance of a past history of depressive disorder
Authors: Bancroft J, Rennie D, Warner P
Journal: Psychosomatic medicine
Year: 1994
Study design: Survey study
Participants: 104
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199405000-00008

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Menstrual cycle and mood Dysmenorrhea and period pain Low mood and depression Pain and headache SSRIs and antidepressants Major depressive disorder

Case report, 2023

Does a combination of maca, progesterone, and magnesium help PMDD symptoms?

Case report, 2007

Does Fluoxetine taken only during the luteal phase help PMDD in teenagers?

Cohort study, 2025

How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?

Randomised trial, 2000

Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?