Survey study, 1979
Are moods linked to hormone levels during the menstrual cycle?
In this group of healthy women, mood and enjoyment of activities did not change during different cycle phases, and there was no relationship between mood and the levels of reproductive hormones.
What they did
Fourteen healthy women kept daily mood records and activity logs for at least two complete menstrual cycles. Blood samples were taken 3 to 5 times per week to measure estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone. Researchers verified that cycles were normal and ovulatory.
What they found
In the 14 women, there was no relationship between mood or enjoyment of activities and which phase of the cycle they were in. There was also no relationship between mood and the actual blood levels of estradiol and progesterone. Of 28 cycles observed, 27 were normal and ovulatory.
What it means for you
In healthy women, mood does not appear to be linked to either cycle phase or hormone levels. This does not mean hormone changes never affect mood in general, but in this sample, the connection was not found. The main limits are the very small sample of only 14 women, that all were healthy and in relationships, and the study only measured mood and hormones, not other symptoms.
14
Healthy women studied
27 of 28
Cycles that were normal and ovulatory
3-5
Blood samples collected per week
About the study
- Original title
- Psychoendocrinology of the menstrual cycle: II. The relationship between enjoyment of activities, moods, and reproductive hormones
- Authors
- Abplanalp JM, Rose RM, Donnelly AF et al.
- Journal
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Year
- 1979
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006842-197912000-00002
Topics
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