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.
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
Topics
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