Systematic review, 2012
Does the menstrual cycle cause negative mood, especially before your period?
Most studies found no link between the menstrual cycle and negative mood. Only 14.9 percent found negative mood linked specifically to the premenstrual phase, challenging the widespread belief in a premenstrual mood syndrome.
What they did
Systematic review of quality studies using non-help-seeking samples with daily mood data collected prospectively for a minimum of one complete menstrual cycle. Searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and article bibliographies.
What they found
Of 47 studies identified, 18 (38.3 percent) found no association between mood and any menstrual cycle phase. 18 studies found an association of negative mood in the premenstrual phase plus another cycle phase. Only 7 (14.9 percent) found an association of negative mood with the premenstrual phase only. 4 studies showed negative mood in a non-premenstrual phase. Results were similar in 41 adequately powered studies.
What it means for you
The widespread belief that the menstrual cycle causes negative mood is not well supported by research. This belief perpetuates negative stereotypes about women and menstruation. Main limitation is diverse methods across studies that prevented combining results quantitatively.
47
Studies identified
7
Studies finding only premenstrual negative mood (14.9%)
18
Studies finding no mood-cycle association (38.3%)
About the study
- Original title
- Mood and the menstrual cycle: a review of prospective data studies
- Authors
- Romans S, Clarkson R, Einstein G et al.
- Journal
- Gender medicine
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- None (observational studies)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.genm.2012.07.003
Topics
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