---
title: How do pain sensitivity and anxiety change through the menstrual cycle?
description: Anxiety and a brain chemical were only linked during the menstrual phase. Pain sensitivity did not clearly change through the cycle.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/plasma-beta-endorphin-pain-thresholds-and-anxiety-levels-across-the-human-1984/
---

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- How do pain sensitivity and anxiety change through the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 1984

# How do pain sensitivity and anxiety change through the menstrual cycle?

Anxiety and a brain chemical were only linked during the menstrual phase. Pain sensitivity did not clearly change through the cycle.

 Early or limited evidence

16 women (9 with regular cycles, 7 using oral contraception)

## What they did

Tested 16 women (9 not using birth control, 7 using it) at five different times through their cycle. Measured anxiety with a questionnaire, tested pain response using electric shock and cold water, and checked a brain chemical in the blood.

## What they found

The brain chemical varied more around ovulation than at other times and varied least during the luteal phase. Anxiety and the brain chemical were connected only during the menstrual phase. Pain thresholds did not show a clear pattern through the cycle.

## What it means for you

The connection between anxiety and this brain chemical may be strongest during the menstrual phase. The lack of clear pain changes was unexpected. The study was small and from 1984.

16

women studied

5

cycle phases tested

9

without birth control

## About the study

Original title Plasma beta-endorphin, pain thresholds and anxiety levels across the human menstrual cycle Authors Veith JL, Anderson J, Slade SA et al. Journal Physiology & behavior Year 1984 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(84)90065-9](https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(84)90065-9)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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