Survey study, 1985
Do personality and anxiety traits change across the menstrual cycle?
Women reporting premenstrual symptoms had higher scores on personality and anxiety measures throughout their entire cycle, not just before their period. During the luteal phase (before the period), their anxiety scores were even higher than in the follicular phase.
What they did
Compared personality traits and anxiety levels in women with and without premenstrual symptoms, measured during both the luteal phase (before the period) and follicular phase (after the period).
What they found
Women reporting premenstrual symptoms scored significantly higher on all personality trait and anxiety measures during both luteal and follicular phases compared to control women. Women with symptoms also showed higher anxiety scores during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase. Control women showed no differences between cycle phases on any measure. Overall personality trait scores showed no differences between cycle phases.
What it means for you
Women with premenstrual symptoms have higher baseline anxiety and personality traits throughout their cycle, not just before menstruation. Anxiety peaks in the luteal phase. These appear to be stable traits rather than cycle-related changes. The study relied on self-reported symptoms with unclear sample size, so results may reflect expectations rather than true differences.
Higher
personality and anxiety scores in women with premenstrual symptoms (both phases)
Even higher
anxiety scores during luteal phase in symptom group
About the study
- Original title
- Personality Characteristics in the Menstrual Cycle
- Authors
- Michael W Mira, Jeanette Vizzard, Suzanne F. Abraham
- Journal
- Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Year
- 1985
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674828509016735
Topics
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