---
title: Do women with PMS show more sadness in their facial expressions during the luteal phase?
description: Women with PMS showed increased sadness muscle activity in their face during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase, while women without PMS showed
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-the-premenstrual-syndrome-on-facial-expressions-of-sadness-2008/
---

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- Do women with PMS show more sadness in their facial expressions during the luteal phase?

Survey study, 2008

# Do women with PMS show more sadness in their facial expressions during the luteal phase?

Women with PMS showed increased sadness muscle activity in their face during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase, while women without PMS showed no change. This suggests women with PMS process emotions differently premenstrually.

 Early or limited evidence

12 women with PMS and 12 without PMS, of reproductive age

## What they did

12 women with PMS and 12 without viewed emotional images during two phases of their cycle (follicular and luteal) while facial muscle activity was measured using electromyography.

## What they found

The PMS group showed significantly increased sadness muscle activity during the luteal phase compared to follicular phase. The PMS group displayed more frequent sadness expressions during luteal than follicular phase. Joy muscle activity did not change between phases in either group.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS appear to process emotions more negatively during their premenstrual phase, as shown by involuntary facial muscles. However, this is a small study measuring facial expressions, not actual mood or how women feel internally, so it may not fully capture emotional experience.

12

Women with PMS

12

Women without PMS

2

Menstrual cycle phases tested

## About the study

Original title Effects of the premenstrual syndrome on facial expressions of sadness Authors Mass R, Moll B, Hölldorfer M et al. Journal Scandinavian journal of psychology Year 2008 Study design Survey study What was tested Observation at different menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00645.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2008.00645.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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