Study, 2021
Do women's personalities and marriages change between different phases of the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women showed less healthy personality traits and lower marital satisfaction during the luteal phase (later part of cycle) compared to follicular phase (earlier part). Changes were larger in women with clear PMS.
What they did
Researchers studied 119 women ages 18-60 and their husbands at the Utah PMS Center. Personality was measured using standard tests. Both partners reported marital satisfaction twice: during follicular phase (day 6-14) and luteal phase (day 14 to menses start).
What they found
The entire group showed less healthy personality scores for the wife and lower marital satisfaction for both partners during the luteal phase. Changes appeared in both PMS and non-PMS groups, but were larger in women with clear PMS.
What it means for you
The menstrual cycle affects personality and marriage quality, with the luteal phase bringing bigger challenges, especially in women with PMS. The study was limited to people seeking treatment, so results may not reflect all women with PMS.
119
women and their husbands studied
18-60
age range of women
day 6-14
follicular phase of menstrual cycle
About the study
- Original title
- PMS: Bi-Phasic Differences in Personality and Marital Relations Among a Clinical Sample
- Authors
- Donna R. Rogers
- Journal
- Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University)
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 119
- What was tested
- None - comparison between cycle phases
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.26076/c1e6-78db
Topics
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