---
title: How much does the menstrual cycle affect mood and body signs compared to daily, weekly, and seasonal changes?
description: The menstrual cycle causes the biggest changes in mood and body measurements compared to daily, weekly, or seasonal changes. Mood, vital signs, and sexual beh
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/daily-weekly-seasonal-and-menstrual-cycles-in-women-s-mood-behaviour-and-vital-2021/
---

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- How much does the menstrual cycle affect mood and body signs compared to daily, weekly, and seasonal changes?

Study, 2021

# How much does the menstrual cycle affect mood and body signs compared to daily, weekly, and seasonal changes?

The menstrual cycle causes the biggest changes in mood and body measurements compared to daily, weekly, or seasonal changes. Mood, vital signs, and sexual behavior vary most; sleep and exercise stay fairly steady.

 Strong study design

3.3 million women across 109 countries using a women's health mobile app

## What they did

Researchers tracked 3.3 million women across 109 countries using a health app. They recorded 241 million observations of 15 mood, behavior, and body measurements, and compared daily, weekly, seasonal, and menstrual cycles.

## What they found

The menstrual cycle had the largest effect on most measured mood and body signs. Mood, vital signs, and sexual behavior varied the most with the cycle. Sleep and exercise changed less. Effects were consistent across countries.

## What it means for you

For most women, the menstrual cycle causes bigger changes than daily or seasonal patterns. This very large international study makes results reliable. The findings apply across many countries and cultures.

3.3 million

women tracked

241 million

observations recorded

15

dimensions of mood, behavior, and vital signs measured

## About the study

Original title Daily, weekly, seasonal and menstrual cycles in women's mood, behaviour and vital signs Authors Pierson E, Althoff T, Thomas D et al. Journal Nature human behaviour Year 2021 Study design Study Participants 3 What was tested None - observational tracking Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-01046-9](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-01046-9)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Apps and digital interventions](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-digital-health/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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