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

J Affect Disord. 2026 Feb 20:121474. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.121474. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

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.

PMID:41724397 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2026.121474