Say it ain’t so (Picture: Pexels)

Cats are a PMS-stricken woman’s best friend.

They’re furry hot water bottles that have evolved to dish out love, and when all of those hormones make you want to act like bit of a d*ck, they can join you in being a bit of a d*ck too.

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However, a saddening new study suggests that if you suffer extreme PMS, your cat could be to blame, as a parasite carried by cats could cause similar symptoms to it.

Scientists from the Juarez University of Durango State, Mexico, have found that women with bad premenstrual symptoms – such as anger and depression – are more likely to have the parasite in their bloodstream.


Could we cope with being catless? (Picture: Pexels)

The organism’s also previously been linked with anxiety, schizophrenia and aggression.



You can catch the bug, toxoplasma gondii, simply by handling cat litter.

It’s important to know that we’re talking about severe PMS – or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) – here, rather than feeling a little low before that time of the month.

The organism is found in cat litter (Picture: Pexels)

Far from gentle mood swings, PMDD can cause extreme anger and anxiety, low self esteem, persistent depression and trouble sleeping.

The researchers studied 151 women with PMDD, taking blood samples to analyse for signs of the organism.

Ten of the women were found to be carrying it.

Comparing the symptoms, the scientists found the infected women were nine times more likely to report feeling ‘overwhelmed’ or ‘out of control’ in the run up to their period than parasite-free women too.

Have we been medicating for the wrong thing all along? (Picture: Pexels)

Keep in mind, however, that 151 people isn’t a very high number to involve in a study – so this should all be taken with a pinch of salt.

But despite acknowledging the study’s shortcomings, its authors still wrote:

‘The results of this first study of its kind suggest toxoplasma gondii infection might be linked to some symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

How could that face cause depression? (Picture: Pexels)

‘Infection has been linked to psychiatric disorders and changes in behaviour.’

Don’t know about you, but as someone who plans to live a large portion of my life surrounded by cats, I’m keeping a tight hold on those shortcomings.

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