---
title: Does anxiety and emotion regulation change across the menstrual cycle in women with PMS and PMDD?
description: Yes, women with PMS and PMDD showed higher anxiety sensitivity and worse emotion regulation during the luteal phase compared to those without these conditions
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-phase-associations-with-transdiagnostic-psychological-factors-evidence-2025/
---

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- Does anxiety and emotion regulation change across the menstrual cycle in women with PMS and PMDD?

Survey study, 2025

# Does anxiety and emotion regulation change across the menstrual cycle in women with PMS and PMDD?

Yes, women with PMS and PMDD showed higher anxiety sensitivity and worse emotion regulation during the luteal phase compared to those without these conditions.

 Early or limited evidence

150 female students divided into PMS, PMDD, and control groups based on clinical assessment.

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 150 female students assigned to three groups (PMS, PMDD, and control) based on clinical interviews and screening tools. Researchers measured anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation difficulties using standard assessment scales.

## What they found

Women with PMS and PMDD had higher anxiety sensitivity and greater difficulties with emotion regulation compared to controls, especially during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle phase significantly affected emotional functioning in all measures.

## What it means for you

If you have PMS or PMDD, your anxiety and trouble managing emotions are likely worse in the luteal phase (second half of your cycle). This study is small and cross-sectional, so it does not prove that PMS causes these problems.

150

Female students

3

Groups studied (PMS, PMDD, control)

## About the study

Original title Menstrual Phase Associations With Transdiagnostic Psychological Factors: Evidence From Women With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Rezvan Torabi, Farzad Nasiri, Fateh Rahmani Journal Women s Reproductive Health Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 150 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2025.2542314](https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2025.2542314)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)

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

Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Systematic review, 2025

Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?

Randomised trial, 1995

Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

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