Review, 1980
Why do women's moods change during their menstrual cycle?
Mood changes during the cycle are linked to changing levels of estrogen and progesterone, which affect brain chemistry. Both hormones and psychology likely play a role.
What they did
Review of research on premenstrual tension and mood changes over many years.
What they found
Mood changes occur during the menstrual cycle and correlate with estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormones affect brain chemistry, including a molecule called MAO and certain neurotransmitters. High estrogen is linked to better mood, and low estrogen to depression.
What it means for you
Both hormones and psychology affect mood during the cycle, but exactly how they interact is unclear. Most research relied on women reporting their own symptoms, which has limitations.
About the study
- Original title
- Pre-menstrual tension and mood change
- Authors
- Blank AM, Goldstein SE, Chatterjee N
- Journal
- Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None (literature review)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1177/070674378002500708
Topics
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