--- title: How do mood and emotion regulation differ between women with PMS and PMDD? description: Women with PMS had reduced activity in the brain region controlling emotional responses, while women with PMDD did not show this difference. Both groups had d url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/characterization-of-mood-and-emotion-regulation-in-females-with-pms-pmdd-using-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do mood and emotion regulation differ between women with PMS and PMDD? Survey study, 2024 # How do mood and emotion regulation differ between women with PMS and PMDD? Women with PMS had reduced activity in the brain region controlling emotional responses, while women with PMDD did not show this difference. Both groups had different mood patterns across phases of the menstrual cycle. Early or limited evidence 46 women categorized as non-PMS, PMS, or PMDD based on gynecologist diagnosis ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 46 women categorized as having PMS, PMDD, or neither based on gynecologist diagnosis. Women viewed emotion-inducing pictures while brain activity in the prefrontal cortex was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, a non-invasive brain imaging technique. Mood was also assessed using questionnaires. ## What they found The PMS group showed reduced emotional expression in the prefrontal cortex during both follicular and luteal phases. The PMDD group had higher negative mood during the luteal phase while the PMS group had higher negative mood and lower positive mood during the follicular phase. No significant differences in brain activity were found between PMDD and non-PMS groups. ## What it means for you Women with PMS may have different brain responses to emotions compared to women with PMDD, though the clinical meaning is unclear. Brain imaging and mood questionnaires may help distinguish between these conditions in the future. This is a small study that does not explain why these differences exist. 46 Study participants ## About the study Original title Characterization of mood and emotion regulation in females with PMS/PMDD using near-infrared spectroscopy to assess prefrontal cerebral blood flow and the mood questionnaire Authors Makiko AOKI, Masato Suzuki, Satoshi Suzuki et al. Journal arXiv (Cornell University) Year 2024 Study design Survey study What was tested Observational study measuring brain activity and mood in women with different menstrual cycle diagnoses Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2405.06457](https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2405.06457) ## 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/)[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/) 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 Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Case-control study, 2026 Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle? Systematic review, 2025 Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation? Survey study, 2025 Do women with PMS have difficulty managing emotions across their whole cycle or only before their period? Case-control study, 2025 How does PMS affect the brain's response to positive emotions? Cohort study, 2023 Does the menstrual cycle affect how often women have suicidal thoughts? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗