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.
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
Topics
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