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.
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
Topics
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