--- title: Does the menstrual cycle affect how emotions and heart rate connect? description: In the luteal phase, women's sadness, stress, and anxiety were linked to increased heart rate and reduced heart rhythm variation, but this was not seen in the url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/taking-context-to-heart-momentary-emotions-menstrual-cycle-phase-and-cardiac-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the menstrual cycle affect how emotions and heart rate connect? Survey study, 2021 # Does the menstrual cycle affect how emotions and heart rate connect? In the luteal phase, women's sadness, stress, and anxiety were linked to increased heart rate and reduced heart rhythm variation, but this was not seen in the follicular phase. Women also showed larger heart rate increases with anger than men. Moderate study design 174 people (87 women and 87 men), ages 18-46 years, average age 31 years ## What they did Researchers monitored 174 people (87 women and 87 men) ages 18-46 over 5 days using a portable heart monitor and checked in about their emotions every 30 minutes. Women were monitored during both the early follicular and luteal phases. ## What they found In both men and women, negative emotions and happiness were linked to increased heart rate. Women showed larger heart rate increases when angry compared to men. During the luteal phase only, women's sadness, stress, and anxiety predicted higher heart rate and reduced heart rhythm variation. These links did not appear in the follicular phase. ## What it means for you Women's emotions affect their heart rate differently depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle. The luteal phase appears to be when emotions have the biggest impact on heart function. The study was done during everyday life (not a lab), which makes the findings real-world relevant. Emotions were self-reported every 30 minutes, which might not capture all emotional changes. 174 total participants 87 women 31.2 average age in years ## About the study Original title Taking context to heart: Momentary emotions, menstrual cycle phase, and cardiac autonomic regulation Authors Simon SG, Sloan RP, Thayer JF et al. Journal Psychophysiology Year 2021 Study design Survey study Participants 174 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13765](https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13765) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Randomised trial, 2013 Does yoga reduce PMS symptoms and physical stress markers? Review, 1999 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder? Randomised trial, 2023 Does a smartphone app for heart rate variability biofeedback reduce premenstrual and depressive symptoms? Survey study, 2013 Can headaches happen in the middle of a woman's cycle? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗