Interview study, 1983
Does mood and physical distress follow a pattern through the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Mood peaks in the late follicular phase and declines in the luteal phase. Physical distress increases in the second half of the cycle and peaks in the late luteal phase.
What they did
Fifty-five women with normal cycles tracked mood and physical symptoms across the menstrual cycle. One-third had severe PMS, one-third had a history of PMS, and one-third had no PMS. Researchers divided each cycle into six hormonally distinct phases based on hormone measurements.
What they found
Self-ratings of well-being peaked in the late follicular phase and declined throughout the luteal half of the cycle. Physical distress increased during the second half of the cycle, reaching a maximum in the late luteal phase. This pattern was pronounced and statistically significant in women with clinic PMS and non-clinic PMS.
What it means for you
Mood and physical state are clearly linked to hormonal phases of the menstrual cycle. It remains unclear whether severe PMS represents an extreme form of normal changes or is qualitatively different. This is a small, older study without detailed comparison groups.
55
women tracked in study
6
hormonally distinct cycle phases
1/3
had clinic PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Mood, sexuality, hormones and the menstrual cycle. I. Changes in mood and physical state: description of subjects and method
- Authors
- Sanders D, Warner P, Bäckström T et al.
- Journal
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Year
- 1983
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 55
- What was tested
- None; this was an observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198312000-00003
Topics
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