---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect social behavior in female monkeys, and what might this tell us about PMS?
description: Yes, female vervet monkeys showed more aggression and avoidance during their late luteal phase. However, the social environment greatly affected behavior, sug
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-social-behavior-in-vervet-monkeys-1995/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect social behavior in female monkeys, and what might this tell us about PMS?

Survey study, 1995

# Does the menstrual cycle affect social behavior in female monkeys, and what might this tell us about PMS?

Yes, female vervet monkeys showed more aggression and avoidance during their late luteal phase. However, the social environment greatly affected behavior, suggesting that not all behavioral changes during the menstrual cycle are directly caused by hormones.

 Early or limited evidence

11 adult female vervet monkeys in an established social group

## What they did

Observed 11 female vervet monkeys living in an established social group. Tracked their social behaviors (aggression, social activity, responses to threats) across their menstrual cycles.

## What they found

During the late luteal phase, monkeys showed increased aggressive actions, avoided social interactions more, and retreated more from threats. Subordinate monkeys also changed their behavior based on when the dominant female was in her late luteal phase, showing that the social environment greatly affects behavior independent of individual hormonal cycles.

## What it means for you

Not all behavioral changes during the menstrual cycle are caused by hormones alone. The social environment and social status may matter just as much. This suggests researchers studying PMS in women should consider how women's social and environmental circumstances affect their symptoms, not just their hormones. The main limitation is this is animal research, which may not apply directly to humans.

11

Female vervet monkeys studied

10

Subordinate females responsive to dominant female's cycle

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle and social behavior in vervet monkeys Authors Rapkin AJ, Pollack DB, Raleigh MJ et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1995 Study design Survey study What was tested None (observational) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(94)00060-n](https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(94)00060-n)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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