---
title: Can the menstrual cycle trigger hypomanic episodes in bipolar disorder?
description: This case describes an 18-year-old woman with bipolar disorder who experienced hypomanic episodes aligned with her menstrual cycle since the start of her peri
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/rapid-cycling-bipolar-ii-disorder-presenting-as-hypomanic-episodes-associated-2013/
---

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- Can the menstrual cycle trigger hypomanic episodes in bipolar disorder?

Case report, 2013

# Can the menstrual cycle trigger hypomanic episodes in bipolar disorder?

This case describes an 18-year-old woman with bipolar disorder who experienced hypomanic episodes aligned with her menstrual cycle since the start of her periods, followed by depressive episodes. This shows that mood episodes and the menstrual cycle can be connected in some people.

 Early or limited evidence

One 18-year-old girl with bipolar-II disorder

## What they did

This case report describes the medical history of an 18-year-old girl with bipolar-II disorder who had recurrent hypomanic episodes associated with every menstrual cycle since her first period, followed by major depressive episodes.

## What they found

The patient had a pattern of hypomanic episodes aligned with all menstrual cycles since the start of her periods, followed by major depressive episodes.

## What it means for you

This unusual case shows that the menstrual cycle can be connected to bipolar symptoms. It highlights that doctors need to ask patients about when their mood episodes occur in relation to their menstrual cycle, as cycle-related mood changes can sometimes be confused with bipolar disorder. More research is needed to understand this connection.

18

Age of patient

## About the study

Original title Rapid cycling bipolar-II disorder presenting as hypomanic episodes associated with menstruation: a case report Authors Sayanti Ghosh Journal Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry Year 2013 Study design Case report What was tested No treatment tested Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v4i2.5981](https://doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v4i2.5981)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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## Related studies

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Randomised trial, 2020

How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated?

Case-control study, 2016

Do women with major depression or bipolar disorder experience more premenstrual symptoms than healthy women?

Case report, 2013

Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder?

Study, 2010

Are women with PMDD more sensitive to how light affects sleep hormones?

Survey study, 2006

Does the menstrual cycle affect mood disorders?

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