Regular periods, but worse symptoms: Women with bipolar disorder may be losing out on gynecological care
Researchers have found that women with bipolar disorder who have regular menstrual cycles are more likely to report severe premenstrual symptoms than those with irregular cycles, according to preliminary research being presented at the 2026 ECNP Congress in Munich.
A recent study presented at the 2026 ECNP Congress in Munich has found that women with bipolar disorder who experience regular menstrual cycles are more likely to suffer from severe premenstrual symptoms compared to those with irregular cycles. Conducted by researchers in Norway and other countries, the survey of 267 women of reproductive age with bipolar disorder revealed that 62% of participants had regular menstruation, while 38% had irregular cycles.
The study discovered that women with regular cycles reported higher rates of premenstrual symptoms, such as irritability, anger, relationship issues, physical discomfort, and significant distress or disruption to work, activities, or relationships during the premenstrual phase in the previous year. Additionally, women with regular cycles were less likely to use hormonal contraceptives, often discontinuing their use due to side effects and expressing reluctance to use hormonal treatments.
Lead researcher Dr. Sofie Ragnhild Aminoff from Oslo University Hospital stated that these findings raise important questions about women with bipolar disorder potentially being more sensitive to hormonal contraceptives, while others might benefit from them. Bipolar disorder, characterized by episodes of depression and elevated or irritable mood, affects approximately 1% to 2% of women, or around 235,000 women of childbearing age in a large European country like the United Kingdom, France, or Italy, with even higher numbers in countries like Germany.
Dr. Aminoff emphasized that premenstrual symptoms in women with bipolar disorder need to be taken seriously and called for more research and clearer clinical guidelines.
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