---
title: Do spiny mice show behavioral changes before menstruation? | Niyora
description: This is the first study showing that female spiny mice have behavioral changes similar to PMS. However, the findings are only in mice, not humans, so we canno
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/altered-exploratory-behaviour-and-increased-food-intake-in-the-spiny-mouse-2019/
---

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- Do spiny mice show behavioral changes before menstruation?

Interview study, 2019

# Do spiny mice show behavioral changes before menstruation?

This is the first study showing that female spiny mice have behavioral changes similar to PMS. However, the findings are only in mice, not humans, so we cannot be sure the same mechanisms apply to people.

 Early or limited evidence

20 virgin female spiny mice aged 6-8 months

## What they did

Researchers measured behavioral responses and food intake in 20 female spiny mice during different phases of their menstrual cycle. They tested how the mice reacted to being handled by researchers, how they explored new spaces, and how much they ate at different cycle stages.

## What they found

During the premenstrual phase (late luteal and early menstrual) compared to the early follicular phase, the mice had a 4-fold increased likelihood of showing difficulties during restraint (P<0.01) and increased vocalizations.

## What it means for you

This suggests that spiny mice could help scientists understand the biological mechanisms of PMS. However, this is only preliminary evidence in mice, not humans, so the biological causes may be completely different. The sample size is also small.

4

fold increase in handling difficulties in premenstrual phase

20

spiny mice studied

<0.01

p-value (probability this is random chance)

## About the study

Original title Altered exploratory behaviour and increased food intake in the spiny mouse before menstruation: a unique pre-clinical model for examining premenstrual syndrome Authors Bellofiore N, Cousins F, Temple-Smith P et al. Journal Human reproduction (Oxford, England) Year 2019 Study design Interview study Participants 20 What was tested None - observation of natural menstrual cycle changes Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey360](https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dey360)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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