Survey study, 2016
Does the menstrual cycle affect daily mood, and does anxiety or rumination change this effect?
Calmness was higher during menstrual and luteal phases. Women with high anxiety and rumination experienced worse irritability before their period, while those with low anxiety were protected from mood worsening.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 59 women aged 18-44 between January and October 2012. Participants used smartphones to rate their mood ten times per day for 8 days across their menstrual cycle, covering menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and late luteal phases. Anxiety and rumination were measured with questionnaires.
What they found
Women reported higher calmness during the luteal and menstrual phases compared to follicular and ovulatory phases. Highly anxious and ruminative women showed increased irritability, while women with lower anxiety and rumination were protected against mood deterioration toward the end of the cycle.
What it means for you
How much the menstrual cycle affects mood depends on a woman's anxiety levels and tendency to ruminate. Women with high anxiety and rumination may benefit from addressing these traits to prevent premenstrual mood changes. The study is small and may not represent all women. It measures mood in daily life rather than retrospective reports, which is more accurate.
59
women studied
10 times per day
mood assessments
8 days
tracked per cycle
About the study
- Original title
- Anxiety and rumination moderate menstrual cycle effects on mood in daily life
- Authors
- Welz A, Huffziger S, Reinhard I et al.
- Journal
- Women & health
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None (daily mood tracking study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2015.1101739
Topics
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