Cohort study, 2004
Does stress affect the menstrual cycle?
Over 2 years, women whose stress increased significantly had shorter cycles and shorter bleeds, while women with stable stress had longer cycles. A one-year snapshot showed no link.
What they did
Researchers tracked menstrual bleeding patterns and stressful life events in perimenopausal women from the Tremin Research Program. They analyzed data from one year and then looked at the same women over 2 years, grouping them by changes in stress level.
What they found
One year (206 women): no link between stress and cycle length or bleed duration. Over 2 years: women with marked stress increases (n=30) had cycles 0.2 days shorter and bleeds 0.1 day shorter, while women with stable stress (n=103) had cycles 2.9 days longer and bleeds 0.3 days longer (p < .05).
What it means for you
This study followed perimenopausal women, so findings may not apply to younger women with PMS. The actual cycle changes were very small (less than one day). The different results between one year and two years suggest the relationship between stress and cycles is complex.
206
Women in one-year analysis
0.2 days
Shorter cycles in stressed group
2.9 days
Longer cycles in stable-stress group
About the study
- Original title
- Association between psychological stress and menstrual cycle characteristics in perimenopausal women
- Authors
- Barsom SH, Mansfield PK, Koch PB et al.
- Journal
- Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 103
- What was tested
- No intervention; stress and cycle characteristics were observed.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2004.07.006
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