Case-control study, 2002
Do women with PMDD have worse cognitive function during their menstrual cycle?
Tests found no significant differences in cognitive function between women with PMDD and controls, despite the PMDD group reporting cognitive problems. The researchers suggest these complaints may come from how women perceive things rather than actual cognitive deficits.
What they did
They tested 37 women with PMDD and 32 control women using cognitive tests during two cycle phases: the follicular phase and the late-luteal phase.
What they found
Tests for attention, reaction time, and cognitive flexibility showed no significant differences between the PMDD and control groups at either phase.
What it means for you
Women with PMDD who report cognitive problems during their cycle may be perceiving and interpreting their thinking differently rather than having actual measurable cognitive impairment. The study was small and observational, so results may not apply to all women with PMDD.
37
women with PMDD
32
control women
2
cycle phases tested
About the study
- Original title
- Cognitive flexibility, reaction time, and attention in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Morgan M, Rapkin A
- Journal
- The journal of gender-specific medicine : JGSM : the official journal of the Partnership for Women's Health at Columbia
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 37
- What was tested
- None; observational study
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12078060/
Topics
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