--- title: Can the premenstrual feelings women get tell us whether ovulation actually occurred? description: No. While 89% of women reported premenstrual feelings that helped them predict their period, these symptoms did not reliably show whether ovulation actually h url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/does-molimina-indicate-ovulation-prospective-data-in-a-hormonally-documented-2018/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can the premenstrual feelings women get tell us whether ovulation actually occurred? Cohort study, 2018 # Can the premenstrual feelings women get tell us whether ovulation actually occurred? No. While 89% of women reported premenstrual feelings that helped them predict their period, these symptoms did not reliably show whether ovulation actually happened. Moderate study design 610 spontaneously menstruating women, mean age 31.5 years, not on hormonal contraception ## What they did A prospective study of 610 spontaneously menstruating women not on hormonal contraception. Women kept daily diaries and collected first morning urine samples for one menstrual cycle. They answered the question 'Can you tell by the way you feel that your period is coming.' Urine hormone levels (pregnanediol) were measured to confirm whether ovulation occurred. ## What they found 89% of 610 women answered yes to the premenstrual feelings question. Common premenstrual experiences included negative moods (62%), cramps (48%), bloating (39%), and breast tenderness in front (26%) or underarm (25%). Of 432 women with hormone documentation, 398 (92%) had ovulatory cycles with average cycle length 29 days, and 34 (8%) had ovulatory disturbances with average cycle length 32 days. Women with or without ovulation were similar in whether they reported premenstrual feelings. ## What it means for you Even though most women can sense when their period is coming and report premenstrual symptoms, these feelings do not reliably show whether ovulation actually happened. About 8% of normal-length cycles lack sufficient progesterone from ovulation, which can lead to bone loss. A better non-invasive way to check for ovulation is needed. 610 women studied 8% had ovulatory disturbances despite normal cycle length 89% reported premenstrual feelings ## About the study Original title Does Molimina Indicate Ovulation? Prospective Data in a Hormonally Documented Single-Cycle in Spontaneously Menstruating Women Authors Prior JC, Konishi C, Hitchcock CL et al. Journal International journal of environmental research and public health Year 2018 Study design Cohort study Participants 610 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15051016](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15051016) Original abstract Approximately 33% of normal-length (21⁻35 days) cycles have subclinical ovulatory disturbances and lack sufficient progesterone, although their normal length ensures enough estrogen. Subclinical ovulatory disturbances are related to significant premenopausal spine bone loss (-0.86%/year). Molimina, non-distressing premenstrual experiences, may detect ovulation within normal-length cycles. This prospective study assessed the relationship between molimina and ovulation. After 1-cycle of daily diary and first morning urine collections, women answered the Molimina Question (MQ): " Can you tell by the way you feel that your period is coming? " and were invited to share (a) predictive premenstrual experience(s). A 3-fold increase in follicular-luteal pregnanediol levels confirmed ovulation. In 610 spontaneously menstruating women (not on hormonal contraception, mean age 31.5 ± 5.3, menarche age 12.7 ± 1.5, cycle length [CL] 29 days, MQ positive in 89%), reported premenstrual experiences which included negative moods (62%), cramps (48%), bloating (39%), and front (26%) or axillary (25%) breast tenderness. Of 432 women with pregnanediol-documented cycles, 398 (92%) were ovulatory (CL: 29 ± 5) and 34 (8%) had ovulatory disturbances (CL: 32 ± 14). Women with/without ovulatory cycles were similar in parity, body mass index, smoking, dietary restraint and the MQ; ovulatory-disturbed cycles were longer. Molimina did not confirm ovulation. A non-invasive, inexpensive ovulation indicator is needed to prevent osteoporosis. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/) 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 Review, 2002 Does the new oral contraceptive Yasmin improve premenstrual symptoms and well-being? Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Systematic review, 2020 Does Vitex agnus-castus help cyclic breast pain? Systematic review, 2012 What medications work best for PMDD? Randomised trial, 2011 Does a birth control pill reduce negative emotions, food cravings, and water retention in women with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗