---
title: Do women blame the menstrual cycle for their moods and symptoms?
description: Women's beliefs about whether their moods come from the cycle vary depending on pill use. Pill users thought the cycle caused their premenstrual moods more of
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/attributions-of-moods-and-symptoms-to-the-menstrual-cycle-1978/
---

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- Do women blame the menstrual cycle for their moods and symptoms?

Study, 1978

# Do women blame the menstrual cycle for their moods and symptoms?

Women's beliefs about whether their moods come from the cycle vary depending on pill use. Pill users thought the cycle caused their premenstrual moods more often than non-pill users.

 Early or limited evidence

Women using and not using oral contraceptives.

## What they did

Women on and not on birth control pills tracked their moods and symptoms daily and noted whether they thought each mood or symptom was caused by the menstrual cycle or something else.

## What they found

During the premenstrual phase, women on the pill attributed their symptoms to the cycle more often than women not on the pill. Women not on the pill attributed symptoms to the cycle more often during their period than during the premenstrual phase.

## What it means for you

Women's beliefs about whether their moods come from the cycle depend on several factors, including whether they take the pill. This study examines how women think about their symptoms rather than whether the menstrual cycle actually causes the mood changes.

## About the study

Original title Attributions of Moods and Symptoms to the Menstrual Cycle Authors Francis Campos, Cathryn Thurow Journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin Year 1978 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/014616727800400220](https://doi.org/10.1177/014616727800400220)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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