---
title: Do changes in female sex hormones during the menstrual cycle cause mood changes?
description: No, this study found no link between hormone fluctuations and mood changes across the menstrual cycle. Mood did not worsen before the period despite hormone c
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/negative-affect-is-unrelated-to-fluctuations-in-hormone-levels-across-the-2017/
---

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- Do changes in female sex hormones during the menstrual cycle cause mood changes?

Cohort study, 2017

# Do changes in female sex hormones during the menstrual cycle cause mood changes?

No, this study found no link between hormone fluctuations and mood changes across the menstrual cycle. Mood did not worsen before the period despite hormone changes.

 Moderate study design

87 women in first cycle, 67 women in second cycle at two sites in Germany and Switzerland

## What they did

Longitudinal study at two sites in Hannover, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland. Women had blood tests measuring estrogen, progesterone, and three other hormones at four points across two menstrual cycles. Mood was measured using a standard questionnaire at each point.

## What they found

Negative mood scores did not change across either cycle and did not increase premenstrually. No sex hormone consistently linked to mood across two cycles. Baseline depression was not related to hormone levels.

## What it means for you

For these women, hormones and mood were not directly linked during the cycle. This challenges the assumption that hormones cause PMS mood symptoms. Other factors like personality may matter more. The sample was small and only from two European countries, so results may not apply to all women.

87

participants first cycle

67

participants second cycle

4

measurement points per cycle

## About the study

Original title Negative affect is unrelated to fluctuations in hormone levels across the menstrual cycle: Evidence from a multisite observational study across two successive cycles Authors Hengartner MP, Kruger THC, Geraedts K et al. Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 2017 Study design Cohort study Participants 87 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.05.018](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.05.018)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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Systematic review, 2025

Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

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