--- title: Do women with PMDD detect facial emotions differently? | Niyora description: Yes. Women with PMDD symptoms detected negative emotions more accurately and earlier, especially disgust and sadness, and this was more pronounced during the url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/symptoms-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-cycle-phase-are-associated-with-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMDD detect facial emotions differently? Non-randomised trial, 2024 # Do women with PMDD detect facial emotions differently? Yes. Women with PMDD symptoms detected negative emotions more accurately and earlier, especially disgust and sadness, and this was more pronounced during the premenstrual phase. However, the study was small and online, so we need to confirm this in larger studies. Early or limited evidence 72 women (42 with PMDD, 30 without), assessed online ## What they did An online cross-sectional study where 72 women (42 with PMDD, 30 without) viewed computer images of faces gradually changing from neutral to emotional expressions. They performed a Facial Emotion Detection Task using 15-image morphs showing 6 basic emotions. ## What they found Women with moderate or severe PMDD symptoms detected disgust more accurately and earlier, regardless of cycle phase. They also detected sad emotions earlier. During the premenstrual phase specifically, women with PMDD were significantly more accurate at detecting all facial emotions, with a large effect size for sadness. ## What it means for you Women with PMDD may be better at detecting other people's negative emotions, particularly during the premenstrual phase. This might be an adaptive trait. However, this was a small online study, so larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. 42 women with PMDD 30 women without PMDD 6 basic emotions tested ## About the study Original title Symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and cycle phase are associated with enhanced facial emotion detection: An online cross-sectional study Authors Boboc B, Oinonen KA Journal Women's health (London, England) Year 2024 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 42 What was tested Facial Emotion Detection Task using face morphs of 6 basic emotions Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/17455057241259176](https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241259176) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a depressive disorder affecting 5%-8% of people with menstrual cycles. Despite evidence that facial emotion detection is altered in depressive disorders, with enhanced detection of negative emotions (negativity bias), minimal research exists on premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms and the premenstrual phase on accuracy and intensity at detection of facial emotions. Design: Cross-sectional quasi-experimental design. Method: The Facial Emotion Detection Task was administered to 72 individuals assigned female at birth with no premenstrual dysphoric disorder ( n = 30), and provisional PMDD ( n = 42), based on a retrospective Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition -based measure of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Facial emotion detection was examined both irrespective of menstrual cycle phase, and as a function of premenstrual phase (yes, no). The task used neutral-to-emotional facial expression morphs (15 images/morph). Participants indicated the emotion detected for each image within the progressive intensity morph. For all six basic emotions (sad, angry, fearful, happy, disgust, and surprise), two scores were calculated: accuracy of responses and the intensity within the morph at which the correct emotion was first detected (image number). Results: Individuals reporting moderate/severe symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder had more accurate and earlier detection of disgust, regardless of cycle phase. In addition, those with provisional premenstrual dysphoric disorder detected sad emotions earlier. A premenstrual dysphoric disorder group × cycle phase interaction also emerged: individuals reporting premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms were more accurate at detecting facial emotions during the premenstrual phase compared to the rest of the cycle, with a large effect size for sad emotions. Conclusion: The findings suggest enhanced facial emotion processing in individuals reporting symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, particularly for sadness and disgust. However, replication is required with larger samples and prospective designs. This premenstrual dysphoric disorder premenstrual emotion detection advantage suggests an adaptive cognitive mechanism in premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and challenges stigma surrounding premenstrual experiences. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[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. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? 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