Study, 1983
What causes premenstrual mood changes—hormones, psychology, or both?
Premenstrual mood changes are most likely caused by ovarian hormones like progesterone and estrogen, but psychology and personality also play a role. About 30% of women of reproductive age experience these changes.
What they did
Review of evidence about what causes cyclical mood changes in women during the menstrual cycle and in premenstrual syndrome.
What they found
About 30% of women of reproductive age have cyclical mood changes. Mood symptoms are closely linked to the second half of the menstrual cycle (the luteal phase). Women who had their uterus removed but kept their ovaries continue to experience cyclical mood changes even without menstrual bleeding, suggesting that ovarian hormones drive the changes. Some women taking hormonal birth control or hormone therapy also experience mood changes. The hormones suspected to cause these changes are progesterone and estradiol.
What it means for you
Both ovarian hormones and psychological factors appear to be involved in premenstrual mood changes. However, this is a review of existing research rather than new research data, so it summarizes what is currently understood rather than providing new evidence.
30%
women with cyclical mood changes
About the study
- Original title
- Endocrinological aspects of cyclical mood changes during the menstrual cycle or the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Torbjörn Carl Bäckström, David T. Baird, John Bancroft et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Year
- 1983
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None - review of existing research
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674828309081250
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