Case-control study, 1998
Do women with PMDD have changes in memory or thinking speed across the menstrual cycle?
Women with PMDD showed subtle slowing on motor speed tasks during the late luteal phase, but scores remained within the normal range. Memory and attention were not affected.
What they did
After tracking symptoms for 2 months, 19 women with PMDD and 18 women with mild to moderate PMS symptoms completed neuropsychological tests during the late follicular phase (pre-ovulation) and late luteal phase (premenstrual). Tests measured psychomotor speed, attention, and verbal learning and memory.
What they found
Women with PMDD showed significant psychomotor slowing during the late luteal phase compared to the late follicular phase, though the slowing was subtle and scores remained within the normal range. No differences were found between groups on measures of attention or verbal learning and memory.
What it means for you
PMDD may cause very subtle changes in movement speed before the period, but this is minor and not in the abnormal range. The practical impact on daily life is likely small.
19
women with PMDD
18
women with mild-moderate PMS
subtle slowing
psychomotor change observed
About the study
- Original title
- Neuropsychological performance across the menstrual cycle in women with and without Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Authors
- Resnick A, Perry W, Parry B et al.
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 19
- What was tested
- None - observational cognitive testing study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(97)00142-x
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