Survey study, 2017
Does the menstrual cycle affect heart rate variability independent of diet, activity, and sleep?
Heart rate does change across the menstrual cycle, but this change appears to be driven by differences in diet, activity, and sleep rather than by the cycle itself.
What they did
Fifteen college-aged women with regular periods wore heart rate monitors and completed questionnaires about diet, eating behavior, sleep, activity, and menstrual distress during two menstrual cycle phases (follicular and luteal).
What they found
Protein intake, fat intake, sleep time, and number of awakenings were all higher during the luteal phase. Emotional eating and menstrual distress tended to increase in the luteal phase. Heart rate variability was different between cycle phases, but this difference became much smaller and no longer clear when accounting for diet, activity, and sleep.
What it means for you
Changes in heart rate patterns across the menstrual cycle may largely reflect differences in eating, activity, and sleep rather than direct effects of hormones on the heart. To understand menstrual cycle-related changes in your body, it helps to consider your overall lifestyle patterns.
15
women studied
2
menstrual cycle phases measured
3
lifestyle factors examined (diet, activity, sleep)
About the study
- Original title
- The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Activity: An Observational Study Considering Lifestyle (Diet, Physical Activity, and Sleep) among Female College Students
- Authors
- Tada Y, Yoshizaki T, Tomata Y et al.
- Journal
- Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Survey study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.63.249
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2026
What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women?
Review, 2023
Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms?
Case-control study, 2020
Is diet quality lower in teenagers with PMS?
Survey study, 2019
What causes severe PMS in female college students with disabilities?
Survey study, 2025
Are violent tendencies linked to premenstrual symptoms?
Survey study, 2022
Does physical activity or sleep quality help reduce PMS?