---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect anger and aggression in women with borderline personality disorder?
description: Yes, the menstrual cycle affects how anger is expressed as aggression. Reactive aggression (responding aggressively to others) peaked during the midluteal pha
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/differential-effects-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-reactive-and-proactive-aggression-2020/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect anger and aggression in women with borderline personality disorder?

Study, 2020

# Does the menstrual cycle affect anger and aggression in women with borderline personality disorder?

Yes, the menstrual cycle affects how anger is expressed as aggression. Reactive aggression (responding aggressively to others) peaked during the midluteal phase, while planned aggression was highest during earlier phases when mood was more stable.

 Moderate study design

15 women with borderline personality disorder

## What they did

Researchers tracked 15 women with borderline personality disorder daily for 35 days, recording their reactive and proactive aggression and anger levels. They used hormone tests (urine and saliva) to confirm which phase of the menstrual cycle each woman was in.

## What they found

Reactive aggression was highest during the midluteal phase, at the same time anger and irritability increased. Proactive aggression (planned aggressive behavior) was highest during the follicular and ovulatory phases, when emotional symptoms were at their lowest. The pattern suggests the cycle affects which type of aggression is more likely at different times.

## What it means for you

Women with borderline personality disorder may experience worsening reactive aggression and anger during the later phase of their cycle. Cycle tracking might help women anticipate and manage these changes. This study was small (15 women) and included only women with a specific diagnosis.

15

women tracked daily

35

days of tracking

2

types of aggression measured

## About the study

Original title Differential effects of the menstrual cycle on reactive and proactive aggression in borderline personality disorder Authors Peters JR, Owens SA, Schmalenberger KM et al. Journal Aggressive behavior Year 2020 Study design Study What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/ab.21877](https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21877)

## Topics

[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Borderline personality disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bpd/)

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