Does PMS Increase Your Likelihood Of Committing A Crime?

There’s no way to avoid it – women are more likely to experience fluctuating feelings and emotions throughout their cycle, especially if they aren’t eating a hormone-healthy diet. The one to two weeks leading up to a woman’s period can be particularly problematic. During this time, a woman may start to experience low moods, irritability, insomnia, and acne, so it’s no wonder mood swings are more common. 

But for some women, these “mood swings” turn into something far worse. Although it isn’t entirely proven scientifically, there is some evidence to suggest that women suffering from a severe hormonal imbalance are more aggressive and therefore more likely to commit crimes. In fact, some women have even committed murder and received a lesser sentence due to pleading “diminished responsibility” because of their hormonal issues. Here’s why.

How the Menstrual Cycle Affects a Woman’s Mood

The menstrual cycle is divided into four phases: follicular, ovulation, luteal, and menstruation. Throughout the cycle, a woman’s estrogen and progesterone will fluctuate. This won’t only affect her biologically but also psychologically. Because these hormones play a role in mood regulation, cognitive function, and behavior, a woman’s mood will naturally change throughout her cycle. 

Four Stages of a Woman’s Menstrual Cycle

Follicular Stage: When her period ends, a woman’s estrogen levels begin rising and her ovaries begin growing and maturing a follicle (hence, the follicular phase). During this phase, a woman will feel more motivated, social, and outgoing.

Ovulation Stage: This stage is when testosterone and estrogen are at their highest, as the ovary ovulates a mature egg cell from the follicle. In this phase, a woman will feel her sexiest and most confident.

Luteal Stage: After ovulation, the follicle transforms into the temporary organ known as the corpus luteum and produces progesterone. About seven days after ovulation, progesterone peaks and estrogen will peak a second time (but lower than the rise that triggered ovulation). Estrogen and progesterone will then fall to their lowest levels. At this point, a woman may start to feel a little more tired than usual and maybe a little irritable. Some women may experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) at the end of the luteal stage, sometimes caused by insufficient progesterone. 

Menstrual Stage: This is the phase where hormone levels reach their lowest concentrations, which triggers the uterus to shed its lining (your period). Although plenty of women feel perfectly fine during their period, some women do experience low moods, anxiety, and irritability.

PMDD

One condition which is well-documented is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This is similar to PMS, except it is a lot more serious. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression, mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety in the 10-14 days leading up to the beginning of a woman’s period. Some sufferers may harm themselves or others. 

Due to these hormonal fluctuations and changes in moods, it does beg the question: Can these hormonal fluctuations cause a woman to commit a crime?

Are Women More Likely To Commit Crimes Because of Their Hormones?

Typically, women commit fewer crimes than men. In fact, a lawyer estimated that even if all violent crimes committed by women in the U.S. could be attributed to PMS, it would still mean that no more than 0.1% of women with PMS commit violent crimes. Although the vast majority of women experience small changes in emotions, thinking, or behavior during their cycle, for a small minority of women who have extreme PMDD, it can lead to some out-of-character behavior. These women may engage in impulsivity and aggression, as well as antisocial activities.

Sandie Craddock Criminal Case

In the 1980s, two British women avoided murder convictions by arguing that their legal responsibility was diminished by PMS. One of the best-known cases is Sandie Craddock’s. She was a London bartender in 1981 who stabbed one of her co-workers. Previous to this, Craddock had 45 convictions, including arson, assault, and theft. Despite the convictions, Craddock claimed she had no clear memory of committing the offenses.

During her trial, the defense pleaded diminished responsibility, with diaries and records showing that her violence was linked to her menstrual cycle. The defense argued that her premenstrual hormonal changes were so intense that she became aggressive and filled with rage, causing her to commit these crimes. She was therefore charged with manslaughter rather than murder.

Craddock was placed on probation and was ordered to receive progesterone treatment; however, there were two incidences over the following two years where Craddock either didn’t receive progesterone or received a lower dosage. The first incidence coincided with Craddock hurling a brick through a window, and the second time Craddock attempted suicide and carried a knife to a police station. As a result, Craddock was once again placed on probation. 

It’s hard to say whether the drop in progesterone was directly the cause of these incidents, but Craddock isn’t the only case where PMS was used as a defense. 

Christine English Criminal Case

Also in 1981, a British woman named Christine English was accused of murdering her lover by crushing him to death with her car. Although she was originally charged with murder, she was eventually given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility as a result of PMS.

Part of the reason Sandie Craddock and Christine English weren’t charged with murder is because of the involvement of Dr. Katharina Dalton, who testified that both women suffered a particularly severe form of premenstrual tension. In Christine English’s case, Dr. Dalton testified that the syndrome could affect the mind, but with proper nutrition, the condition wouldn’t have a lasting effect on those who suffer from it.

Geraldine Richter DUI

In 1991, Geraldine Richter was a surgeon in the U.S. who was pulled over in Virginia for driving erratically. When stopped by police, she was found to be over the legal alcohol limit and she then threatened the police officer and tried to assault him. In the end, Richter was acquitted of drunk driving due to her defense which mentioned PMS was to blame for her irritability and hostility.

Closing Thoughts

Although several women have been acquitted of murder following a “diminished responsibility” plea deal, these women are usually still held accountable for their actions to some extent. For example, it may lead to a court order for treatment for PMDD and being put on probation.

In Australia, many medical experts agree that PMDD symptoms may lead to criminal behavior by a small minority of women. Whether or not PMDD can legitimately be used as a defense is still up for debate and varies across jurisdictions. 

However, even outside court, diagnosing PMDD can prove to be quite difficult. Typically, doctors need at least two months of daily records to diagnose the condition. Records would need to show a pattern of symptoms, starting one to two weeks before a woman’s period, to appropriately diagnose PMDD.