Survey study, 1982
Does mood change during the menstrual cycle?
Group data showed some mood changes across the cycle, with fatigue and depression lower before menstruation and anger lower during menstruation. But individual tracking showed few changes, and women's memories of their moods did not match their daily recordings.
What they did
Seven women filled out daily mood questionnaires for 90 days without knowing the study was about menstruation. Researchers analyzed their records to see if moods and energy levels changed in different phases of the cycle.
What they found
Group analysis showed fatigue, confusion, and depression were lower in the premenstrual phase than around ovulation. Anger and confusion were lower during menstruation than around ovulation. General activation was higher before menstruation. Individual daily data showed few significant mood changes. Women's retrospective reports about premenstrual mood problems did not match their daily ratings.
What it means for you
Mood may change across the cycle for some women but not others. People's memories of their moods may not be accurate. This was a very small study with only 7 women and no comparison group, so findings are very limited.
7
women tracked daily
90
days of tracking
3
menstrual cycle phases analyzed
About the study
- Original title
- Changes in Moods and Activation Levels During the Menstrual Cycle in Experimentally Naive Subjects
- Authors
- Mary Brown Parlee
- Journal
- Psychology of Women Quarterly
- Year
- 1982
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1982.tb00824.x
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Randomised trial, 2017
Does the combined oral contraceptive pill affect mood?
Randomised trial, 1995
Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Study, 2025
Does anger get worse before your period?
Randomised trial, 2021
Does ulipristal acetate help premenstrual dysphoric disorder?