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.
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
Topics
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