---
title: Can a visual analogue scale reliably measure mood changes related to the menstrual cycle?
description: Yes, a twice-daily visual scale successfully tracked mood changes related to menstruation. In 20 women with self-diagnosed PMS, 40% showed depression ratings
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prospective-assessment-of-menstrually-related-mood-disorders-1984/
---

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- Can a visual analogue scale reliably measure mood changes related to the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 1984

# Can a visual analogue scale reliably measure mood changes related to the menstrual cycle?

Yes, a twice-daily visual scale successfully tracked mood changes related to menstruation. In 20 women with self-diagnosed PMS, 40% showed depression ratings 30% higher before menstruation versus after.

 Moderate study design

20 women with self-diagnosed premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

Preliminary study applying a 100-mm visual analogue scale (twice-daily mood self-ratings) to 20 women with self-diagnosed premenstrual syndrome to evaluate whether the scale could clearly show mood patterns related to menstruation.

## What they found

Eight of 20 women (40%) had mean depression ratings during the week before menstruation that were 30% higher than during the week after menstruation ended. The scale showed good simplicity, compliance, and ease of graphic presentation.

## What it means for you

The visual scale is simple and practical for tracking PMS-related mood changes. However, this was a small preliminary study in women who self-diagnosed rather than received professional diagnosis, so results may not represent all women with PMS.

20

women in study

8

women with 30% higher depression before period (40%)

30%

increase in depression rating before menstruation

## About the study

Original title Prospective assessment of menstrually related mood disorders Authors Rubinow DR, Roy-Byrne P, Hoban MC et al. Journal The American journal of psychiatry Year 1984 Study design Cohort study Participants 20 What was tested None - study of a measurement tool for tracking mood changes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.5.684](https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.5.684)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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.

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