--- title: Do sexist attitudes and beliefs about menstruation affect how much women experience PMS symptoms? description: Yes, women with stronger traditional gender role beliefs reported more mood and concentration-related PMS symptoms. Beliefs about menstruation linked to sexis url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ambivalent-sexism-attitudes-towards-menstruation-and-menstrual-cycle-related-2014/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do sexist attitudes and beliefs about menstruation affect how much women experience PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2014 # Do sexist attitudes and beliefs about menstruation affect how much women experience PMS symptoms? Yes, women with stronger traditional gender role beliefs reported more mood and concentration-related PMS symptoms. Beliefs about menstruation linked to sexism appear to influence how severe some PMS symptoms feel. Early or limited evidence 106 Mexican women ## What they did 106 Mexican women completed three questionnaires: one measuring sexist attitudes (both protective and negative views of women), one about beliefs and attitudes toward menstruation, and one about PMS symptoms across physical, mood, and concentration areas. ## What they found Women with protective sexism (limiting but positive views) had more positive attitudes about menstruation but believed women should avoid certain activities during their period. Women with hostile sexism (negative views) rejected menstruation and felt embarrassed. Beliefs and attitudes toward menstruation predicted mood and concentration symptoms, but not physical symptoms like cramping or bloating. ## What it means for you Cultural attitudes and sexism may make PMS mood and concentration symptoms feel worse. Changing negative beliefs about menstruation could help reduce these symptoms. This was only studied in Mexico, so findings may be different in other cultures. 106 Mexican women surveyed ## About the study Original title Ambivalent sexism, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual cycle-related symptoms Authors Marván ML, Vázquez-Toboada R, Chrisler JC Journal International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie Year 2014 Study design Survey study What was tested None - survey study of attitudes and symptoms Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12028](https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12028) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2025 What psychological and personal factors predict which university students will develop premenstrual syndrome? Survey study, 1999 How much do premenstrual symptoms affect women's work and daily life? Survey study, 2024 Does knowing about Ayurvedic yoga make teenage girls more interested in practicing it for PMS? Survey study, 2023 Is there a link between PMS symptoms and how the nervous system controls heart rate? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Survey study, 2022 Does a girl's relationship with her mother affect her PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗