Risk Factors
PMS & Risk Factors: What Makes Symptoms Worse?
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) risk factors are characteristics or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing PMS. It’s important to note here that having one or more risk factors doesn’t guarantee that you will develop the condition. However, it may make you more susceptible to PMS.
What are the common risk factors?
Research shows that a combination of biological and environmental factors can contribute to the development and intensity of your PMS symptoms1. Here are some of the most well-documented risk factors:
Lifestyle
Certain habits and lifestyle choices can exacerbate PMS symptoms, including:
Chronic stress, which can contribute to heightened emotional or physical symptoms.
A poor diet, coupled with excess caffeine, sugar, or processed foods.
Lack of exercise, as it hinders your hormonal balance and mood.
Poor sleep quality, which can intensify fatigue, irritability, and mood swings.
What can make PMS worse?
Studies show us that certain influencing factors often exacerbate PMS symptoms.
PMS has been positively correlated with psychological factors, such as depression and stress, sleep disturbances, and poor eating habits or eating disorders2. Here is an explanation as to why some of these influencing factors increase PMS symptoms:
1. Stress & Depression
While not direct causes, stress and depression can heighten PMS symptoms as they cause hormonal fluctuations and increased emotional sensitivity.
2. Sleep Disturbances
As a core human need, sleep remains essential in maintaining good health, satisfaction, and overall quality of life3. That is why poor sleep quality, not just sleep duration, is a key determinant of PMS.
3. Unhealthy Eating Habits
Disordered eating, binge-eating, and emotional eating are linked to more severe PMS, with stronger effects in cases of PMDD. This is because imbalanced eating habits can disrupt hormonal regulation and blood sugar, worsening PMS symptoms.
Since PMS affects your physical and emotional wellbeing, healthcare professionals and institutions should focus on personalized interventions that holistically improve stress management, sleep quality, and nutrition.
How does PMS impact your health?
Studies show that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle may exacerbate mental health disorders and psychiatric symptoms in hormone-sensitive women4. In fact, research shows clear evidence of PMS symptom exacerbation during the perimenstrual phase4 for:
Psychotic disorders
Panic disorder
Eating disorders
Depression
Borderline personality disorder
Although there is less consistent evidence around anxiety-related conditions, certain studies have shown that women dealing with generalized anxiety disorders experience an increase in repetitive negative thinking during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle5.
Each of these facts indicate that our biological processes are more powerful than we think, influencing core cognitive processes!
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don't worry! We recommend speaking to your family doctor or, ideally, a gynaecologist, who can provide more specialized guidance and care.
Last updated
Was this helpful?