---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect depression and other mood disorders?
description: For some women who have existing mood disorders, the premenstrual phase can increase vulnerability to severe depression or make ongoing depression worse. The
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-menstrual-cycle-and-mood-disorders-1993/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect depression and other mood disorders?

Review, 1993

# Does the menstrual cycle affect depression and other mood disorders?

For some women who have existing mood disorders, the premenstrual phase can increase vulnerability to severe depression or make ongoing depression worse. The paper reviews evidence for this link.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with mood disorders (literature review)

## What they did

Literature review of how the menstrual cycle affects the course of mood disorders in women.

## What they found

For a subset of women with mood disorders, the premenstrual phase may be a period of increased vulnerability for the appearance of severe depression or for the worsening of ongoing depression.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle timing may matter for treatment of mood disorders in some women. This summarizes existing research; future research directions are still being explored.

## About the study

Original title The menstrual cycle and mood disorders Authors Endicott J Journal Journal of affective disorders Year 1993 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(93)90033-g](https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(93)90033-g)

## 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/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[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, 2023

Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Review, 2011

Can estrogen hormones treat depression linked to the menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2006

Are hormone-related chemicals different in women with mood disorders during the menstrual cycle?

Randomised trial, 2020

How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated?

Case-control study, 2016

Do women with major depression or bipolar disorder experience more premenstrual symptoms than healthy women?

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