---
title: How do work stress and hormones affect mood during the menstrual cycle?
description: Both menstrual cycle phase and stress hormones (norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol) affect mood. High stress hormone levels linked to more stress and tired
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/moods-in-everyday-situations-effects-of-menstrual-cycle-work-and-stress-hormones-2005/
---

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- How do work stress and hormones affect mood during the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 2005

# How do work stress and hormones affect mood during the menstrual cycle?

Both menstrual cycle phase and stress hormones (norepinephrine, epinephrine, cortisol) affect mood. High stress hormone levels linked to more stress and tiredness and less happiness. The menstrual cycle phase also mattered but effects depended on stress hormone levels.

 Moderate study design

203 women nurses

## What they did

A study of 203 women nurses who reported their mood throughout the day on two work days and two off days during both the follicular and luteal phases. Stress hormones in blood and urine were measured.

## What they found

High daytime norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol levels associated with higher stress and tiredness ratings and lower happiness. Menstrual cycle phase and work versus off days also affected mood. The direction of mood effects depended on hormone levels and when hormones were measured.

## What it means for you

Mood during the menstrual cycle is affected by both cycle phase and stress hormones, suggesting stress matters as much as menstrual hormones for how women feel. However, the study only included nurses, so results may not apply to women in other jobs or situations.

203

Women studied

2

Work days tracked per phase

2

Off days tracked per phase

## About the study

Original title Moods in everyday situations: effects of menstrual cycle, work, and stress hormones Authors Davydov DM, Shapiro D, Goldstein IB et al. Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 2005 Study design Cohort study Participants 203 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.11.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.11.003)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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