Study, 1990
Do women experience positive emotions during the premenstrual period?
Yes. 46 of 48 women reported positive emotions including well-being, excitement, relief, and increased sexual desire.
What they did
A survey of 48 nursing students in reproductive years. They rated positive emotions during the premenstrual period using numerical and visual scales.
What they found
46 women reported at least some positive emotions. 75 percent reported a sense of well-being. 62 percent reported excitement and relief. 42 percent reported increased sexual desire. Extreme positive emotions were reported by 12-37 percent of women.
What it means for you
Positive emotions during the premenstrual period may protect against distress. Culture may affect whether women notice and report these positive changes. The study was small and limited to nursing students, so results may not apply to all women.
75 percent
Women reporting sense of well-being
62 percent
Women reporting excitement and relief
42 percent
Women reporting increased sexual desire
About the study
- Original title
- Stress‐protective functions of positive experiences during the premenstrual period
- Authors
- Santosh K. Chaturvedi, Prabha S. Chandra
- Journal
- Stress Medicine
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 48
- What was tested
- None - survey study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/smi.2460060111
Topics
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