Lab study, 2010
Do hormones affect how aggressive women feel during their menstrual cycle?
Overall aggressiveness did not change across the menstrual cycle, but some specific feelings like resentment and verbal aggression were linked to hormone fluctuations. The evidence is weak because only 15 women were studied.
What they did
They measured hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) and feelings of aggression in 15 women at three times in their cycle: early phase, middle, and just before their period.
What they found
Hormone levels changed significantly during the cycle, but overall aggressiveness scores did not change. Estrogen was linked to more verbal aggression early in the cycle and more resentment just before the period. Lower progesterone just before the period was linked to less suspiciousness and less resentment.
What it means for you
Hormones might affect specific feelings like resentment rather than aggression in general. The main limitation is that only 15 women were studied, which is a very small group.
15
women studied
3
cycle phases examined
About the study
- Original title
- Hormonal background of physiological aggressiveness in psychologically healthy women
- Authors
- Brambilla F, Speca A, Pacchiarotti I et al.
- Journal
- International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- None; observation of natural hormone and behavior changes.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2009.12.012