---
title: Do changes in serotonin levels across the menstrual cycle explain mood changes?
description: Serotonin levels change across the cycle, but these changes don't clearly explain mood changes. The connection between the two is more complicated than a simp
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-menstrual-cycle-and-platelet-5-ht-uptake-1985/
---

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- Do changes in serotonin levels across the menstrual cycle explain mood changes?

Survey study, 1985

# Do changes in serotonin levels across the menstrual cycle explain mood changes?

Serotonin levels change across the cycle, but these changes don't clearly explain mood changes. The connection between the two is more complicated than a simple link.

 Early or limited evidence

6 healthy women with regular menstruation

## What they did

Researchers measured serotonin uptake in the blood of 6 healthy women on days 1, 10, and 24 of their cycle across 3 consecutive cycles. They also measured mood and symptoms using questionnaires on the same days.

## What they found

Serotonin uptake was higher on day 24 of the cycle compared to earlier days. Negative mood, water retention, and behavioral changes peaked on day 1. However, the changes in serotonin didn't match up with the mood changes reported by the women.

## What it means for you

There are measurable biochemical changes across the menstrual cycle, but they don't directly cause mood symptoms. This was a very small study with only 6 women, so results need confirmation in larger groups.

6

women

3

menstrual cycles studied

days 1, 10, 24

measurement days

## About the study

Original title The menstrual cycle and platelet 5-HT uptake Authors Tam WY, Chan MY, Lee PH Journal Psychosomatic medicine Year 1985 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198507000-00005](https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198507000-00005)

## 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/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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