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Survey study, 1995

Do menstrual cycle phases affect mood and impulsive behavior in women with borderline personality disorder?

No clear connection was found between menstrual cycle phase and mood or behavior when women tracked their symptoms daily. However, all women reported premenstrual worsening when asked afterward. None met criteria for severe premenstrual disorder.

Early or limited evidence 14 women with borderline personality disorder

What they did

Prospective study of 14 women with borderline personality disorder. Women completed daily ratings of mood and impulsive behavior for 2 to 4 menstrual cycles.

What they found

No clear connection was found between symptom severity and menstrual cycle phase based on daily tracking. Despite this, all 14 women reported having experienced premenstrual worsening of symptoms when interviewed after the study. However, none of the women met the criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (severe premenstrual disorder).

What it means for you

Women with borderline personality disorder may perceive their symptoms as worsening premenstrually, but when tracked daily, this pattern did not appear. This suggests their perception may not match their actual day-to-day changes, or symptoms may be severe throughout the cycle. The main limitations are the very small sample of only 14 women and this is a pilot study with no control group.

14

women studied

2-4

menstrual cycles tracked

About the study

Original title
Menstrual Cycle Influences On Mood and Behavior in Women With Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors
Barbara Ziv, Mark J. Russ, Margaret L. Moline et al.
Journal
Journal of Personality Disorders
Year
1995
Study design
Survey study
Participants
14
What was tested
None

Topics