--- title: Does anxiety get worse before the period in women with panic disorder? description: Women with panic disorder reported afterward that their anxiety was worse before their period, but their daily diary records did not consistently show this pa url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/anxiety-and-the-menstrual-cycle-in-panic-disorder-1990/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does anxiety get worse before the period in women with panic disorder? Cohort study, 1990 # Does anxiety get worse before the period in women with panic disorder? Women with panic disorder reported afterward that their anxiety was worse before their period, but their daily diary records did not consistently show this pattern. The answer depends on how you ask the question. Early or limited evidence 19 women with panic disorder ## What they did 19 women with panic disorder kept daily home diary records for 60 days covering 30 menstrual cycles. They rated their anxiety, general health, late-luteal symptoms, and the number and severity of panic attacks. ## What they found When asked to remember back, women reported that anxiety increased during premenstrual days. However, their daily diary ratings did not consistently show this pattern. ## What it means for you Women may remember their anxiety as worse before their period even if daily records do not show it. This suggests memory bias. we tend to remember what we expect to happen rather than what actually did. This is a small study of women with panic disorder, so results may not apply to women with PMS. 19 Women with panic disorder 60 days Duration of tracking 30 Menstrual cycles tracked ## About the study Original title Anxiety and the menstrual cycle in panic disorder Authors Cook BL, Noyes R Jr, Garvey MJ et al. Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1990 Study design Cohort study What was tested None - daily anxiety tracking Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(90)90095-p](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(90)90095-p) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/) 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 Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Cohort study, 2020 Are women with PMDD more likely to have generalized anxiety disorder? Cohort study, 2012 How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms? Review, 1999 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder? Interview study, 2026 Does acceptance and commitment therapy help people with anxiety and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗