Randomised trial, 2004
Does the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle affect mood and brain function?
Yes. In the luteal phase, women showed slower word-finding, lower mood scores, and changes in stress hormone levels, though reaction times were faster.
What they did
Fifteen healthy women without psychiatric history were tested twice in a randomized crossover study: once during the follicular phase and once during the luteal phase. Researchers measured mood, brain function, and stress hormones.
What they found
Compared to the follicular phase, the luteal phase had impaired word-finding, faster reaction times on a task, lower hedonic mood scores, and lower cortisol and DHEA hormone levels.
What it means for you
The luteal phase involves measurable changes in brain function and stress hormones, which may explain PMS-related mood changes. The sample was small and only included healthy women, so it is unclear if results apply to women with PMS.
15
Healthy women studied
2
Menstrual cycle phases tested
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of the menstrual cycle on mood, neurocognitive and neuroendocrine function in healthy premenopausal women
- Authors
- Symonds CS, Gallagher P, Thompson JM et al.
- Journal
- Psychological medicine
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- No intervention; observation of natural menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1017/s0033291703008535
Topics
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