Survey study, 1980
Do thinking and mood symptoms change across the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women report worse concentration, mood, pain, and water retention before and during their period. Patterns vary between individuals.
What they did
65 women (mostly non-student group) filled out questionnaires weekly for one month to track symptoms across their menstrual cycle.
What they found
Concentration disturbances, negative affect, pain, and water retention were reported as higher premenstrually and menstrually. Women with high premenstrual temporal disorganization had worse concentration, behavioral change, negative affect, and pain premenstrually. Women with low premenstrual temporal disorganization had their worst symptoms during menstruation.
What it means for you
Both cognitive symptoms (concentration) and mood worsen in the premenstrual and menstrual phases, but the pattern varies between women. This 1980 study shows what women reported at that time, and the questionnaires used may have limits by today's standards.
65
women studied
one month
tracking period
four
symptoms rated higher premenstrually
About the study
- Original title
- Cognitive changes during the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Kirstein L, Rosenberg B, Smith H
- Journal
- International journal of psychiatry in medicine
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2190/4k4f-gp08-xgdf-k13a
Topics
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