Survey study, 1990
Do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle cause mood changes in healthy women?
In healthy young women, hormone changes do not cause marked mood changes. Physical symptoms like breast tenderness and abdominal pain do occur, particularly before and during menstruation.
What they did
Researchers tracked 30 healthy young women through their menstrual cycles. They took blood samples at least three times per week to measure estrogen and progesterone. Women rated their mood and physical symptoms every day.
What they found
No significant changes in mood or depression across the cycle. Abdominal pain and breast tenderness were significantly linked to the luteal, premenstrual, and menstrual phases. Appetite increased in the periovulatory and premenstrual phases. Sexual interest tended to be highest after menstruation. Mood was not linked to hormone levels but was linked to stress levels.
What it means for you
For healthy young women, hormone changes alone do not cause mood problems. Physical symptoms are real and link to specific cycle phases. Stress seems more important than hormones for mood. The study is small (30 women) and only included healthy women with normal cycles.
30
women studied
3+ per week
blood samples taken
About the study
- Original title
- Mood changes and physical complaints during the normal menstrual cycle in healthy young women
- Authors
- Laessle RG, Tuschl RJ, Schweiger U et al.
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(90)90021-z
Topics
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