--- title: Are menstrual symptoms linked to inflammation in the body? | Niyora description: Yes. A marker of low-grade inflammation in the blood correlated with mood, behavior, and physical symptoms during the menstrual cycle, independent of body wei url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-symptoms-are-associated-with-changes-in-low-grade-inflammation-2006/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are menstrual symptoms linked to inflammation in the body? Cohort study, 2006 # Are menstrual symptoms linked to inflammation in the body? Yes. A marker of low-grade inflammation in the blood correlated with mood, behavior, and physical symptoms during the menstrual cycle, independent of body weight and hormone levels. Early or limited evidence 8 normal weight and 7 overweight healthy young women with normal ovulation and no PMS ## What they did 15 measurements throughout one menstrual cycle in 15 women: 8 normal weight and 7 overweight, all with normal ovulation and no PMS. Fasting blood drawn at each time point, symptoms recorded daily using Freeman Daily Symptom Record. Measured hs-CRP (inflammation marker) and TNF-alpha. ## What they found hs-CRP levels and symptom scores varied significantly during menstrual cycle in parallel (P less than or equals 0.04). hs-CRP correlated with total symptom scores and mood, behavior, and physical symptoms, independently of weight and hormone levels (all P less than or equals 0.04). Mean hs-CRP correlated with mean symptom score (r equals 0.56, P equals 0.04). TNF-alpha did not show these associations. ## What it means for you Menstrual symptoms may be linked to low-grade inflammation occurring naturally during the cycle. This is interesting but very limited by small sample of only 15 women. It is unclear whether inflammation causes symptoms or symptoms cause inflammation. 15 measurements throughout menstrual cycle r=0.56 correlation between inflammation and symptoms ## About the study Original title Menstrual cycle symptoms are associated with changes in low-grade inflammation Authors Puder JJ, Blum CA, Mueller B et al. Journal European journal of clinical investigation Year 2006 Study design Cohort study What was tested None (observational) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2362.2006.01591.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2362.2006.01591.x) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Survey study, 2025 What behavioral symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are most common? Survey study, 2017 Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking? Cohort study, 2025 Does worse PMS pain and concentration problems affect a woman's balance during her cycle? Non-randomised trial, 2024 Does cognitive-behavioral or mindfulness stress management help reduce PMS in high school girls? Survey study, 2023 How common are PMS and PMDD among college girls, and what are their symptoms? Survey study, 2023 Is low vitamin D linked to depression and irregular periods in women with premenstrual syndrome? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗