--- title: Do women experience positive changes during the premenstrual week? description: Two-thirds of healthy women report positive premenstrual changes like increased sex drive, energy, and creativity. These positive changes tend to occur opposi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/positive-changes-in-the-premenstrual-period-1989/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women experience positive changes during the premenstrual week? Survey study, 1989 # Do women experience positive changes during the premenstrual week? Two-thirds of healthy women report positive premenstrual changes like increased sex drive, energy, and creativity. These positive changes tend to occur opposite to negative changes. Early or limited evidence 100 healthy women ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 100 healthy women. Each woman was asked whether she experienced positive premenstrual changes and how often these occurred alone or together with negative changes. ## What they found 66% reported at least one positive premenstrual change. Most common were increased sexual interest and enjoyment, tendency to clean and organize, tendency to get things done, more attractive breasts, more energy, and more creative ideas. There was a weak negative correlation between number of negative and positive premenstrual changes. Age, marital status, oral contraceptive use, and cycle regularity had no significant associations. ## What it means for you Most healthy women experience some positive effects premenstrually. This balanced view complements the typical focus on negative symptoms. The study is limited to healthy women using retrospective recall, so findings may not apply to women with PMS. 66% Women with positive premenstrual changes 100 Healthy women surveyed ## About the study Original title Positive changes in the premenstrual period Authors Stewart DE Journal Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Year 1989 Study design Survey study Participants 100 What was tested None; descriptive survey Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb10276.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb10276.x) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/) 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. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2024 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? Guideline, 2023 How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗