---
title: Are menstrual symptoms caused by beliefs about the menstrual cycle?
description: This is a theoretical review arguing that some menstrual symptoms may originate from biased beliefs and selective processing of menstrual cycle information, n
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-symptoms-a-social-cognition-analysis-1979/
---

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- Are menstrual symptoms caused by beliefs about the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 1979

# Are menstrual symptoms caused by beliefs about the menstrual cycle?

This is a theoretical review arguing that some menstrual symptoms may originate from biased beliefs and selective processing of menstrual cycle information, not just from physical changes. It is not original research.

 Early or limited evidence

This is a literature review, not a study of specific people

## What they did

The authors reviewed existing research on menstrual symptoms and examined evidence that symptom associations may reflect biased beliefs and selective attention to cycle-related information rather than being purely physiological.

## What they found

The review suggests that biases in how people process information about the menstrual cycle may originate and maintain symptom associations. These biases include selective attention to cycle-related information, how meaningful the cycle feels, and how evidence is interpreted. Mechanisms include distortion, autonomy, and category accessibility of the evidence.

## What it means for you

This theoretical perspective suggests that cultural beliefs and how women process information about their menstrual cycle may partly shape symptom experiences. This does not mean symptoms are not real, but rather that beliefs, expectations, and attention also play a role. This is a conceptual review rather than new evidence from a study.

## About the study

Original title Menstrual symptoms: a social cognition analysis Authors Ruble DN, Brooks-Gunn J Journal Journal of behavioral medicine Year 1979 Study design Cohort study What was tested None; this is a literature review article Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/bf00846665](https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00846665)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2025

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Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Survey study, 2026

Do how you think about your period and how you manage emotions affect PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2026

Does acceptance and commitment therapy help women with PMS manage emotions and unhelpful thoughts?

Cohort study, 2026

How do beliefs about control and ways of handling emotions affect distress before your period?

Cohort study, 2025

How has PMS burden changed worldwide from 1990 to 2021?

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