--- title: Do women with PMDD process emotional anticipation differently during the luteal phase? description: Yes, women with PMDD show heightened emotional responses to anticipation during the luteal phase compared to women without PMDD. This suggests their brain cir url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/patients-with-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-have-increased-startle-modulation-2011/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMDD process emotional anticipation differently during the luteal phase? Randomised trial, 2011 # Do women with PMDD process emotional anticipation differently during the luteal phase? Yes, women with PMDD show heightened emotional responses to anticipation during the luteal phase compared to women without PMDD. This suggests their brain circuits for emotional processing are more reactive, but the study was small and lab-based. Early or limited evidence 16 women with PMDD and 16 control women ## What they did Study where 16 women with PMDD and 16 control women watched slide shows containing pleasant and unpleasant pictures while scientists measured their startle reflex (a sudden 105 decibel sound). Testing occurred during both the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. ## What they found During the luteal phase, women with PMDD showed greater startle responses to both positive and negative anticipation cues compared to control women. This increased response was mainly driven by women with PMDD showing stronger reactions in the luteal phase than in their own follicular phase, and also by increased responses compared to controls during luteal phase. ## What it means for you The brains of women with PMDD may be more sensitized to emotional anticipation during the luteal phase, which could contribute to anxiety and mood symptoms. This is a small lab-based study using an artificial startle test, so findings may not directly translate to everyday life. 16 women with PMDD 16 control women 105 decibels of startle probe sound ## About the study Original title Patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder have increased startle modulation during anticipation in the late luteal phase period in comparison to control subjects Authors Bannbers E, Kask K, Wikström J et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2011 Study design Randomised trial What was tested None. Study measured startle responses across menstrual cycle phases. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.02.011](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.02.011) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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 Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Systematic review, 2026 How much of PMDD treatment improvement comes from placebo effect? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗