--- title: Does PMS affect how women experience fear and stress at different times in their cycle? description: Women with PMS reported higher fear during the second half of their cycle than women without PMS. Strangely, their cortisol levels (a stress hormone) were act url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/influences-of-premenstrual-syndrome-on-daily-psychological-states-and-salivary-2005/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does PMS affect how women experience fear and stress at different times in their cycle? Study, 2005 # Does PMS affect how women experience fear and stress at different times in their cycle? Women with PMS reported higher fear during the second half of their cycle than women without PMS. Strangely, their cortisol levels (a stress hormone) were actually lower during that same time, suggesting their stress system may work differently. Early or limited evidence 42 women initially screened; 17 with PMS, 22 without; 14 women (7 with PMS, 7 without) for main measurement ## What they did Researchers tracked 42 women over about two menstrual cycles, recording symptoms and body temperature daily. Based on these records, women were classified as having PMS or not. Then 14 women (7 with PMS, 7 without) provided saliva samples and reported feelings six times each day during the second half of their cycle and the week after. ## What they found During the second half of their cycle, women with PMS reported significantly higher fear compared to women without PMS. At this same time, the cortisol levels in the PMS group were lower than in the group without PMS. This unusual pattern (higher fear but lower cortisol) suggests a mismatch in how the stress system works in women with PMS. ## What it means for you The pattern of higher fear but lower cortisol suggests women with PMS may have a mismatch between how stressed they feel and how their body shows stress. This could explain some emotional symptoms of PMS. However, findings come from only 7 women with PMS, so results need confirmation in larger groups. The study was done at one time point and doesn't prove cause and effect. 42 women initially screened 17 women classified with PMS 7 women with PMS in measurement phase ## About the study Original title [Influences of premenstrual syndrome on daily psychological states and salivary cortisol level] Authors Oda Y Journal Shinrigaku kenkyu : The Japanese journal of psychology Year 2005 Study design Study Participants 22 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4992/jjpsy.76.426](https://doi.org/10.4992/jjpsy.76.426) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Review, 2025 How do stress hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle and how does this affect health? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Survey study, 2026 Does stress affect premenstrual symptoms in female athletes, and can coping strategies help? Survey study, 2026 Is PMS worse in medical students with higher stress? Study, 2026 Does how women's body responds to stress change across their menstrual cycle? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗