Lab study, 2001
Does how women perceive time change with their menstrual cycle?
Yes, in healthy women, but not in women with PMS. Healthy women's internal clock seemed to run slower during the morning and during the late luteal phase, but women with PMS showed no pattern.
What they did
Tested 7 healthy women and 7 women with PMS at three times of day (08:00, 14:00, 20:00) during three cycle phases (follicular, early luteal, late luteal). Each woman was asked to estimate six different time intervals.
What they found
Healthy women overestimated time (meaning their internal clock appeared slower) in the follicular phase in the morning and in the late luteal phase at 20:00. Women with PMS showed no difference in time estimation across cycle phases or times of day.
What it means for you
In healthy women, reproductive hormones and the daily circadian rhythm may work together to control the internal clock. But in women with PMS, this control mechanism may not work the same way. Main limit: very small study (only 7 women per group).
7
Healthy women tested
7
Women with PMS tested
6
Different time intervals estimated
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual and circadian variations in time perception in healthy women and women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Morofushi M, Shinohara K, Kimura F
- Journal
- Neuroscience research
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- No intervention - observational comparison across cycle and time of day
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0168-0102(01)00290-5
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2024
Do women with PMS or PMDD have disrupted body clocks and sleep?
Survey study, 2023
What factors make premenstrual syndrome worse in nursing students?
Survey study, 2023
What factors make PMS worse in college students?
Survey study, 2015
Is PMS related to sleep quality and attitudes about periods?
Review, 2026
Do men experience premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2026
Is PMS linked to sleep quality in young women?