Survey study, 2021
Does the menstrual cycle affect women's social behavior and anxiety?
Women in the luteal phase (when progesterone is high) reported being more sensitive to others' feedback, feeling more anxious with other people, and preferring to cooperate. These changes did not appear in the follicular phase.
What they did
Study 1: 78 women provided saliva samples and reported on their sensitivity to others' feedback and behavioral responses at two points in their cycle (late follicular and mid-luteal phase). Study 2: 30 women reported on their anxiety around others and their preference for cooperation at the same two points.
What they found
Women with higher progesterone levels reported higher sensitivity to feedback from others. Women with high progesterone also showed stronger anxiety with others and preferred cooperation more. These effects appeared in the luteal phase but not the follicular phase.
What it means for you
Women's social behavior and anxiety naturally change across the menstrual cycle as hormone levels rise and fall. The study used small to medium-sized groups and only measured two points in the cycle, so more research is needed to understand these changes across a full cycle.
78
women in Study 1
30
women in Study 2
About the study
- Original title
- Social Orientation in the Luteal Phase: Increased Social Feedback Sensitivity, Inhibitory Response, Interpersonal Anxiety and Cooperation Preference
- Authors
- Wang JX, Zhuang JY, Fu L et al.
- Journal
- Evolutionary psychology : an international journal of evolutionary approaches to psychology and behavior
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 78
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/1474704920986866
Topics
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