---
title: Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?
description: The authors propose that reproductive hormones may disrupt the body's internal clock in susceptible women, but this is a theory not yet proven. Women have twi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/chronobiological-basis-of-female-specific-mood-disorders-2001/
---

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- Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

Randomised trial, 2001

# Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

The authors propose that reproductive hormones may disrupt the body's internal clock in susceptible women, but this is a theory not yet proven. Women have twice the rate of depression as men.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with female-specific mood disorders (PMDD, postpartum depression, menopause)

## What they did

A review of scientific evidence on biological rhythm disturbances in female-specific mood disorders including PMDD, postpartum depression, and menopause. The authors describe the connection between changing reproductive hormones and circadian rhythm disruption.

## What they found

Women are prone to develop depression during times of hormonal change: at puberty, with oral contraceptive use, during the premenstrual phase, postpartum, and during perimenopause. Women have twice the incidence of major depression compared with men.

## What it means for you

This is a theory that needs more research to prove. It suggests that if your body's internal clock gets disrupted by hormone changes, you may be more likely to develop mood symptoms. The theory applies to women with female-specific mood disorders.

2

Times higher rate of depression in women than men

5

Hormonal life stages associated with mood disorders

## About the study

Original title Chronobiological basis of female-specific mood disorders Authors Parry BL, Newton RP Journal Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Year 2001 Study design Randomised trial What was tested None, theory and review paper Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0893-133x(01)00340-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0893-133x(01)00340-2)

## 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/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Review, 2002

Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?

Survey study, 2002

What treatments work for depression linked to the menstrual cycle and PMDD?

Study, 2022

What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2017

How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and development, especially in adolescents?

Survey study, 2006

Does the menstrual cycle affect how severe OCD symptoms are?

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