---
title: Do psychiatric symptoms get worse during certain phases of the menstrual cycle?
description: Some reports suggest that psychiatric symptoms worsen during premenstrual and menstrual phases, but evidence is limited because most studies have been small a
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/course-of-psychiatric-disorders-across-the-menstrual-cycle-1996/
---

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- Do psychiatric symptoms get worse during certain phases of the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 1996

# Do psychiatric symptoms get worse during certain phases of the menstrual cycle?

Some reports suggest that psychiatric symptoms worsen during premenstrual and menstrual phases, but evidence is limited because most studies have been small and tracked women informally.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review on women of reproductive age with psychiatric disorders

## What they did

This was a review of published research on psychiatric symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women of reproductive age.

## What they found

Some data reported that psychiatric symptoms may worsen during premenstrual and menstrual phases. Reports included depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, bulimia, and substance abuse. However, most studies did not clarify whether symptoms intensified or appeared only during certain cycle phases.

## What it means for you

Doctors should ask female patients whether their psychiatric symptoms change with their menstrual cycle. The evidence is limited because most studies lacked proper tracking over time and involved small numbers of women, so firm conclusions cannot yet be drawn.

## About the study

Original title Course of psychiatric disorders across the menstrual cycle Authors Hendrick V, Altshuler LL, Burt VK Journal Harvard review of psychiatry Year 1996 Study design Survey study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/10673229609030544](https://doi.org/10.3109/10673229609030544)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)

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.

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