Association of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder with suicidal ideation and violence toward family members in Japan.

PURPOSE: To examine association of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) with suicidal ideation and violence toward family members among Japanese women of reproductive age.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 2023 Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS), a nationwide online study of 5439 women aged 18-44 years who menstruated within the past year. Premenstrual disorders were assessed using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool and categorized as no or mild PMS, moderate-to-severe PMS, or PMDD. Suicidal ideation and violence toward family members during the prior year were self-reported. Poisson regression for suicidal ideation and logistic regression for violence toward family members were applied.

RESULTS

Moderate-to-severe PMS and PMDD were identified in 581 (10.7%) and 262 (4.8%) participants, respectively. 1088 (20.0%) and 172 (3.2%) reported suicidal ideation and violence toward family members, respectively. Compared with women with no or mild PMS, those with moderate-to-severe PMS and PMDD had 1.76-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-1.99) and 1.88-fold (95% CI 1.62-2.17) higher risk of suicidal ideation, and 1.90-fold (95% CI 1.25-2.88) and 3.04-fold (95% CI 1.88-4.91) higher odds of violence, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically significant PMS and PMDD were associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation and violence toward family members. Further studies should assess whether treatment of PMS/PMDD can reduce these outcomes.