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.
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
Topics
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