---
title: Does premenstrual anxiety and depression affect how well women think?
description: Women reported more anxiety and depression before their period, but this mood change did not affect how well they performed on thinking tests.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effect-of-premenstrual-anxiety-and-depression-on-cognitive-function-1976/
---

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- Does premenstrual anxiety and depression affect how well women think?

Survey study, 1976

# Does premenstrual anxiety and depression affect how well women think?

Women reported more anxiety and depression before their period, but this mood change did not affect how well they performed on thinking tests.

 Early or limited evidence

50 women aged 30-45

## What they did

50 women aged 30-45 completed mood and thinking tests at two times: 4 days before their period and again 2 weeks later.

## What they found

There were significant increases in anxiety and depression 4 days before their period. However, there were no significant differences in thinking test performance between sessions, and premenstrual mood did not correlate with thinking test scores.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual mood changes may not be strong enough to impair thinking and mental performance. The main limitations are the small sample size and unclear if testing timing was accurate.

50

women studied

4 days

first testing before period

2 weeks

second testing after first session

## About the study

Original title The effect of premenstrual anxiety and depression on cognitive function Authors Golub S Journal Journal of personality and social psychology Year 1976 Study design Survey study Participants 50 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.34.1.99](https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.34.1.99)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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