---
title: What role do hormones play in mood problems linked to the menstrual cycle?
description: Hormones can trigger mood problems in a small percentage of women who are vulnerable, often those with a history of depression. The menstrual cycle may act as
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/female-specific-mood-disorders-1992/
---

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- What role do hormones play in mood problems linked to the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 1992

# What role do hormones play in mood problems linked to the menstrual cycle?

Hormones can trigger mood problems in a small percentage of women who are vulnerable, often those with a history of depression. The menstrual cycle may act as a biological trigger in susceptible women.

 Early or limited evidence

Women of reproductive age with late-luteal phase dysphoria

## What they did

This is a narrative discussion of hormones, the menstrual cycle, and mood disorders. It synthesizes research on late-luteal phase dysphoria (now called PMDD) and female-specific mood disorders.

## What they found

About 5-10% of reproductive-age women have mood, sleep, eating, energy, and physical symptoms linked to the late-luteal phase. LLPDD is strongly associated with lifetime major depression, and these women often have both conditions. Vulnerable periods include puberty, premenstruum, postpartum, and menopause.

## What it means for you

If you have mood symptoms linked to your menstrual cycle, you are more likely to have a history of depression. The menstrual cycle may act as a trigger in women who are already vulnerable. This is a discussion article rather than a research study, so it summarizes existing knowledge rather than new findings.

5-10%

Reproductive-age women with late-luteal phase symptoms

## About the study

Original title Female-specific mood disorders Authors Steiner M Journal Clinical obstetrics and gynecology Year 1992 Study design Cohort study What was tested None - literature review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00003081-199209000-00020](https://doi.org/10.1097/00003081-199209000-00020)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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, 2017

How does the menstrual cycle affect mood and development, especially in adolescents?

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Survey study, 2024

How common are PMS and PMDD in young Turkish women and what factors are linked to them?

Cohort study, 2022

What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?

Review, 2019

How do brain changes during reproductive transitions cause depression in women?

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