--- title: Does cortisol change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with and without PMS? description: Both women with and without PMS showed cortisol changes across the menstrual cycle phases. There were no significant differences in cortisol levels between wo url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-the-menstrual-cycle-phase-on-cortisol-responses-to-maximum-exercise-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does cortisol change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with and without PMS? Case-control study, 2025 # Does cortisol change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with and without PMS? Both women with and without PMS showed cortisol changes across the menstrual cycle phases. There were no significant differences in cortisol levels between women with PMS and without PMS, or between before and after exercise. Early or limited evidence 19 healthy active women (11 with PMS, 8 without PMS) ## What they did Case-control study of 19 healthy active women (11 with PMS, 8 without PMS) who completed 5 maximal exercise tests, with 3 performed at specific menstrual cycle phases (menses, follicular, luteal). Blood was collected before and after each test. ## What they found Both groups showed significant cortisol changes across menstrual cycle phases. No significant differences appeared in cortisol levels between groups (PMS versus non-PMS) or between before and after exercise. ## What it means for you The menstrual cycle affects stress hormone levels similarly in women with and without PMS. Main limitations: extremely small sample size (19 women total) and the abstract has incomplete result reporting. 19 Total women studied 11 Women with PMS 8 Women without PMS ## About the study Original title Effects of the Menstrual Cycle Phase on Cortisol Responses to Maximum Exercise in Women With and Without Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Prado RCR, Oliveira TN, Saunders B et al. Journal Endocrines Year 2025 Study design Case-control study Participants 11 What was tested Maximal incremental exercise testing at three menstrual cycle phases Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3390/endocrines6010014](https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines6010014) Original abstract Objectives: This study investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle phases on cortisol levels before and after a maximal incremental exercise test in women with and without premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: Nineteen healthy, active and eumenorrheic women completed five maximal incremental exercise tests; three of those were performed at specific phases of the menstrual cycle (i.e., menses, follicular, and luteal). The participants were allocated into two groups according to the presence of PMS ( n = 11) or absence of PMS (NO-PMS, n = 8). Samples of blood were collected before and after each experimental test. A three-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the differences between menstrual cycle phases (i.e., menses, follicular, and luteal), time (before and after) and groups (PMS and NO-PMS). Results: The results demonstrated an alteration of cortisol across the menstrual cycle, with cortisol levels significantly ( p p > 0.05) in cortisol levels for groups or time. Conclusions: This study observed significant cortisol fluctuations across the menstrual cycle phases in women with and without PMS. Future studies should consider alternative maximal incremental test protocols and incorporate a more comprehensive hormonal profile to provide a deeper physiological understanding of this population. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/) 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 Randomised trial, 2025 Does caloric restriction and aerobic exercise improve PMS symptoms in obese women? Systematic review, 2024 Does yoga help reduce PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 Does yoga or Pilates help manage PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? Survey study, 2026 What factors most strongly drive PMS severity in female engineering students? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗