Study, 1983
Does muscle tension increase during the premenstrual phase of the cycle?
Yes. Women had higher muscle tension in their forehead during the premenstrual phase. Women with more forehead tension predicted they would have more premenstrual symptoms.
What they did
Muscle tension in the forehead and shoulder was measured in 22 women during two times in their cycle - just before menstruation and earlier in the cycle. Measurements were taken while the women rested and while they looked at an emotional image. Women predicted what symptoms they would have.
What they found
Muscle tension in the forehead was higher during the premenstrual phase compared to earlier in the cycle, both while resting and while looking at an emotional image. Women who predicted they would have more premenstrual symptoms had higher forehead muscle tension during the premenstrual phase.
What it means for you
Muscle tension might be linked to premenstrual symptoms, suggesting that learning to relax your muscles could help reduce them. The study was small with only 22 women, and mainly measured only one muscle.
22
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Muscle tension and its relation to symptoms in the premenstruum
- Authors
- Coyne C
- Journal
- Research in nursing & health
- Year
- 1983
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 22
- What was tested
- Observational study measuring muscle tension; suggested that muscle relaxation training could help
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770060408
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2026
Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS?
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Randomised trial, 2024
Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea?
Systematic review, 2022
Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle?
Systematic review, 2021
Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating?
Randomised trial, 1999
Does calcium reduce PMS symptoms?