Non-randomised trial, 1997
Does testosterone relate to aggressive behavior across the menstrual cycle?
No clear link. Testosterone levels rose around ovulation but aggressive behavior did not change. Women's emotional symptoms like irritability predicted aggression better than testosterone levels.
What they did
Researchers measured testosterone levels and aggressive behavior in 12 women (some with premenstrual emotional symptoms and some without) at four different phases of their menstrual cycle. Aggressive behavior was measured using a laboratory task where women could press buttons to earn money for themselves or subtract money from an opponent's counter.
What they found
Testosterone levels increased significantly during ovulation. Aggressive responses to provocation did not change across the menstrual cycle phases. Testosterone levels were similar between women with and without premenstrual emotional symptoms. A relationship between testosterone and aggression appeared only during the midfollicular phase. Women's self-reported mood symptoms such as irritability predicted aggressive behavior more consistently across the cycle than testosterone levels.
What it means for you
Testosterone alone does not explain aggression patterns across the menstrual cycle. Mood symptoms may be more important. The very small sample size and laboratory setting limit how well these findings represent real-world behavior.
12
women in the study
4
menstrual cycle phases measured
1
phase where testosterone and aggression were related (midfollicular only)
About the study
- Original title
- The influence of menstrual-cycle phase on the relationship between testosterone and aggression
- Authors
- Dougherty DM, Bjork JM, Moeller FG et al.
- Journal
- Physiology & behavior
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 12
- What was tested
- None; observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9384(97)88991-3
Topics
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