---
title: Does PMS affect heart rate variability and attention? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women with higher PMS symptoms showed decreased heart rate variability and reduced attention performance during the premenstrual phase. The study was sma
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-is-associated-with-differences-in-heart-rate-variability-2024/
---

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- Does PMS affect heart rate variability and attention?

Survey study, 2024

# Does PMS affect heart rate variability and attention?

Yes. Women with higher PMS symptoms showed decreased heart rate variability and reduced attention performance during the premenstrual phase. The study was small and more research is needed.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS (sample size not reported).

## What they did

Pilot study measuring heart rate variability using electrocardiography, attention using a reaction time task, and PMS symptoms via questionnaire in women measured across their menstrual cycle.

## What they found

In women with higher PMS symptoms, heart rate variability was decreased during the luteal (premenstrual) phase. Attention task performance was also reduced in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. No effects were found on orienting attention.

## What it means for you

PMS may involve changes in the body's self-regulation systems, as shown by heart rate patterns and attention control. These systems appear linked to each other. However, we do not know if one causes the other. Limitation: pilot study with sample size not reported, cross-sectional measurements, no control group without PMS.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome is associated with differences in heart rate variability and attentional control throughout the menstrual cycle: A pilot study Authors Blaser BL, Weymar M, Wendt J Journal International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology Year 2024 Study design Survey study What was tested None (observational study). Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112374](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112374)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)

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