--- title: Do mood, memory, and food cravings worsen during the luteal phase in women with PMDD? description: Yes. During the luteal phase, women with PMDD showed significantly worse mood, impaired memory and concentration, and increased cravings for fatty foods compa url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/changes-in-mood-cognitive-performance-and-appetite-in-the-late-luteal-and-2008/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do mood, memory, and food cravings worsen during the luteal phase in women with PMDD? Non-randomised trial, 2008 # Do mood, memory, and food cravings worsen during the luteal phase in women with PMDD? Yes. During the luteal phase, women with PMDD showed significantly worse mood, impaired memory and concentration, and increased cravings for fatty foods compared to their follicular phase and compared to women without PMDD. Moderate study design 29 women (14 with PMDD, 15 without PMDD) ## What they did A study where 29 women (14 with PMDD, 15 without) attended 10 sessions over one month: 2 practice sessions, 4 during the follicular phase, and 4 during the late luteal phase. Each session included mood and food questionnaires, cognitive tests, a motor coordination task, and a meal. ## What they found Women with PMDD had a significant increase in dysphoric mood during the luteal phase compared to their follicular phase and compared to controls. They performed worse on word recall (immediate and delayed), digit recall (immediate and delayed), and digit symbol substitution tests during the luteal phase. Women with PMDD showed increased desire for high-fat foods during the luteal phase and consumed more calories from fat compared to the follicular phase, while control women did not show these changes. ## What it means for you Women with PMDD experience worsened mood, impaired memory and thinking, and stronger cravings for fatty foods during the luteal phase. This may relate to changes in serotonin, and SSRIs are the preferred treatment. The study was limited by its small sample size. 14 women with PMDD 15 women without PMDD 10 sessions per woman ## About the study Original title Changes in mood, cognitive performance and appetite in the late luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in women with and without PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) Authors Reed SC, Levin FR, Evans SM Journal Hormones and behavior Year 2008 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 29 What was tested Observational measurement of mood, cognitive performance, food intake, and motor coordination across menstrual phases Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.02.018](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.02.018) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Study, 2022 What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗