Written By: IJCP Editorial Team

Published On: 10 Apr, 2025 11:49 AM | Updated On: 15 Apr, 2025 7:33 PM

Childhood Trauma and Its Impact on Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent health issue among women of reproductive age, and early traumatic experiences may adversely impact women's health. Childhood traumas are considered significant risk factors for developing PMS. This study aimed to explore the connection between PMS and childhood traumas in women.

This cross-sectional study was conducted online from September 2023 to January 2024, involving 437 women aged 18 to 49 years. Data were gathered using a Personal Information Form, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, and the Childhood Trauma Scale, with analysis performed using the SPSS statistical software.

The study revealed the following outcome: 

• Prevalence of PMS was found to be 55.6%. 
• Women with PMS reported higher levels of emotional neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.
• It was established that childhood traumas significantly increased PMS levels in women (ß = 0.266), accounting for 6.8% of the variance in PMS symptoms (R2 = 0.068). 
• Specifically, emotional neglect (ß = 0.163) and physical abuse (ß = 0.121) were linked to higher PMS levels.

The findings concluded that childhood traumas play a significant role in the onset and severity of PMS. Identifying these traumas early may help prevent long-term health issues in affected individuals.

Source: Yesildere Saglam H, Gürsoy E, Karakuş A. Impact of childhood trauma history on premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age: A cross-sectional study. J Eval Clin Pract. 2025 Feb;31(1):e14172. doi: 10.1111/jep.14172. Epub 2024 Oct 13. PMID: 39396250; PMCID: PMC11713844.