---
title: How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and sexual arousal? | Niyora
description: The menstrual cycle affects mood in women. The strongest effects occur before the period, when some women become depressed or irritable. Physical symptoms als
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-mood-and-sexual-arousability-1972/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and sexual arousal?

Survey study, 1972

# How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and sexual arousal?

The menstrual cycle affects mood in women. The strongest effects occur before the period, when some women become depressed or irritable. Physical symptoms also accompany these mood changes.

 Early or limited evidence

Women

## What they did

The researchers studied how mood and sexual arousal change at different phases of the menstrual cycle in women.

## What they found

Women show mood variations across the menstrual cycle with the most noticeable effects during the premenstrual period. Some women become depressed or irritable during this time. Women may also experience physical symptoms including headaches, backaches, nausea, and swelling. In some women these mood and physical changes are extreme enough that they are called premenstrual tension.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle influences mood and behavior in women, with important effects before menstruation. Understanding these patterns is important because the mood changes and physical symptoms can significantly impact daily life. Women who experience extreme mood or physical changes deserve attention and support.

## About the study

Original title Effect of the menstrual cycle on mood and sexual arousability∗ Authors Mary E. Luschen, David M. Pierce Journal The Journal of Sex Research Year 1972 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/00224497209550729](https://doi.org/10.1080/00224497209550729)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Legal and forensic](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-legal-crime/)

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

Systematic review, 2022

Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Review, 2025

How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Case report, 2013

Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder?

Cohort study, 2023

Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?

Survey study, 2026

What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗