---
title: How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women?
description: Reproductive hormones are powerful regulators of mood and behavior. Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can trigger
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/reproductive-steroid-regulation-of-mood-and-behavior-2016/
---

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- How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women?

Review, 2016

# How do reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior in women?

Reproductive hormones are powerful regulators of mood and behavior. Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can trigger mood problems in women who are biologically sensitive to these changes.

 Moderate study design

Women with reproductive-related mood disorders including PMS, PMDD, postpartum depression, perimenopausal depression (review)

## What they did

The authors reviewed evidence on how reproductive hormones affect mood and behavior and examined links between hormone changes and mood disorders including PMS, PMDD, postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression.

## What they found

Reproductive hormones affect virtually every brain system involved in depression. The review confirms that reproductive steroids regulate mood and behavior. Changes during specific reproductive states (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause) trigger mood dysregulation in some women.

## What it means for you

Understanding how reproductive hormones work in the brain could lead to better treatments. Some women may be born with greater sensitivity to hormone changes. Identifying this sensitivity is important for preventing mood disorders and developing personalized treatments.

## About the study

Original title Reproductive Steroid Regulation of Mood and Behavior Authors Schiller CE, Johnson SL, Abate AC et al. Journal Comprehensive Physiology Year 2016 Study design Review What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c150014](https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c150014)

## Topics

[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Reproductive hormone sensitivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-hormone-sensitivity/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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## Related studies

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Survey study, 2026

Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause?

Systematic review, 2026

Does childhood trauma increase the risk for PMS, PMDD, and related mood disorders?

Non-randomised trial, 2014

Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

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