---
title: Do dry eye symptoms change during the menstrual cycle? | Niyora
description: Dry eye symptoms and signs get significantly worse during the follicular phase (around ovulation when estrogen is highest), both in women with and without dry
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/ocular-surface-changes-over-the-menstrual-cycle-in-women-with-and-without-dry-2007/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Do dry eye symptoms change during the menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2007

# Do dry eye symptoms change during the menstrual cycle?

Dry eye symptoms and signs get significantly worse during the follicular phase (around ovulation when estrogen is highest), both in women with and without dry eye disease. This suggests estrogen fluctuations affect tear production and eye surface health.

 Moderate study design

29 women of fertile age with regular 26-29 day cycles, including 14 with dry eye and 15 without

## What they did

Case-control study tracking 29 women (14 with dry eye symptoms, 15 without) across two complete menstrual cycles. Researchers measured tear production, tear stability, dryness, and inflammation at menstruation, during the follicular phase, and during the luteal phase.

## What they found

Dry eye symptoms, tear production, tear stability, surface dryness, and signs of inflammation all varied significantly across the menstrual cycle. These changes were especially linked to the estrogen peak in the follicular phase, particularly in women who already had dry eye symptoms.

## What it means for you

Estrogen affects tear production and eye surface health. Women with dry eye should be aware that symptoms may worsen at specific times in their cycle. This is a small study in one clinic, so results need confirmation in larger groups.

29

Women tracked

14

With dry eye symptoms

2

Consecutive cycles followed

## About the study

Original title Ocular surface changes over the menstrual cycle in women with and without dry eye Authors Versura P, Fresina M, Campos EC Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 2007 Study design Case-control study What was tested Observational study (no treatment tested) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/09513590701350390](https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590701350390)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗