Study, 1980
Do women commit violent crimes more often at certain times in the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Among 50 women charged with violent crimes, 44% committed their offense during the paramenstrual phase (just before or after the period), with very few crimes during ovulation and the post-ovulatory phase.
What they did
Researchers examined records of 50 women charged with violent crimes and determined when in their menstrual cycle each crime occurred.
What they found
44% of crimes happened during the paramenstrual phase (just before or after the period). Very few crimes happened during the ovulatory and post-ovulatory phases. The timing of crimes was not related to whether women reported having PMS symptoms.
What it means for you
This study found a pattern of more crimes during certain cycle phases in women who committed violent crimes. The pattern was not explained by women's self-reported PMS symptoms. This is a descriptive study of criminal records, not a controlled trial.
50
Women studied
44%
Crimes during paramenstrual phase
About the study
- Original title
- Violent crime and the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- d'Orbán PT, Dalton J
- Journal
- Psychological medicine
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 50
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1017/s0033291700044123
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2014
Does childhood abuse increase the risk of PMS in adulthood?
Survey study, 2026
Are PMS and PMDD linked to suicidal thoughts and violence toward family?
Survey study, 2026
How common are PMS and PMDD in teenagers, and can a new questionnaire measure their impact?
Review, 2026
How do social factors like stigma and unequal care responsibilities affect premenstrual symptoms?
Survey study, 2025
Is PMS worse in girls living through violence and insecurity?
Randomised trial, 2025
Can muscle relaxation exercises reduce PMS symptoms and tendencies toward violence?