Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Women with bipolar disorder and regular cycles report more severe premenstrual symptoms
Researchers surveyed 267 women of reproductive age with bipolar disorder, a condition involving episodes of depression and elevated or irritable mood.
The participants were recruited for a study led by researchers in Norway and international collaborators, and the findings were presented at a conference in Munich.
Women with regular menstrual cycles reported severe premenstrual symptoms more often than women with irregular cycles.
Symptoms included irritability, anger, physical problems and difficulties affecting relationships, work or daily activities.
Women with regular cycles were less likely to use hormonal contraception, and more often said they had stopped using it because of side effects or were reluctant to use hormones.
The findings are preliminary and come from an online survey, so they do not show that regular cycles cause more severe symptoms.
Researchers say more study and clearer care guidance are needed so women and health professionals can make better-informed decisions about treatment, contraception and mood-stabilising medication.
A preliminary study found that women with bipolar disorder and regular menstrual cycles more often reported severe premenstrual symptoms than women with irregular cycles.
The online survey included 267 women of reproductive age with bipolar disorder.
Symptoms reported included irritability, anger, relationship difficulties, physical symptoms and significant distress or interference with daily life.
Women with regular cycles were less likely to use hormonal contraceptives and more likely to have stopped them because of side effects.
Researchers said the findings need further study and called for clearer clinical guidance on reproductive health and treatment.
- Who
- Researchers surveyed 267 women of reproductive age with bipolar disorder.
- What
- Women with regular cycles more often reported severe premenstrual symptoms than women with irregular cycles.
- When
- The study was presented at the 2026 ECNP Congress; the survey asked about symptoms over the last year.
- Where
- The findings were presented at the 2026 ECNP Congress in Munich.
- Why
- The study examined how menstrual cycle regularity relates to premenstrual symptoms in women with bipolar disorder.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This was an unexpected finding, and raises important questions about whether some women with bipolar disorder may be especially sensitive to hormonal contraceptives, while others might potentially benefit from it
Our main message is that premenstrual symptoms in women with bipolar disorder need to be taken seriously. We need more research and clearer clinical guidelines so that women and the health care system can make better-informed decisions about treatment, contraception and mood-stabilising medication.
It is great to see preliminary research into the reproductive health of women with bipolar disorder being presented at this conference.
The survey asked participants whether they experienced premenstrual symptoms every or almost every premenstrual phase during the previous year.
The preliminary research was presented in Munich.
- Participants
- 267 women of reproductive age with bipolar disorder
- Regular menstruation
- 62% of the sample
- Irregular menstruation
- 38% of the sample
- Tried hormonal contraceptives
- 93% of the women in the sample
- Study status
- Preliminary research from an online survey, not yet submitted to a peer-reviewed journal
Sources
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