---
title: Do personality traits change at different points in the menstrual cycle?
description: Some differences in personality test scores were found, but they did not support the common belief that women have more negative traits before their period.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/consistency-of-some-personality-measures-as-a-function-of-stage-of-menstruation-1982/
---

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- Do personality traits change at different points in the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 1982

# Do personality traits change at different points in the menstrual cycle?

Some differences in personality test scores were found, but they did not support the common belief that women have more negative traits before their period.

 Early or limited evidence

College women tested in premenstrual phase (days 20-25) or early cycle (days 5-9)

## What they did

College women took personality tests either in the premenstrual phase (days 20-25) or at the beginning of the cycle (days 5-9). Researchers compared the results between the two groups.

## What they found

Significant differences were obtained between the two groups on personality measures. However, the results did not corroborate earlier findings that negative personality characteristics are associated with the premenstrual phase.

## What it means for you

The popular belief about increased negativity and irritability before your period was not supported by these personality measures. The study was small, only included college women, and did not specify the total sample size.

days 20-25

premenstrual testing phase

days 5-9

early cycle testing phase

## About the study

Original title Consistency of some personality measures as a function of stage of menstruation Authors Maloney P, Deitchman R, Wagner EE Journal Journal of personality assessment Year 1982 Study design Survey study What was tested None, observational Read the paper [doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4606_7](https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4606_7)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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