---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect emotions and thinking ability?
description: The menstrual cycle affects emotions consistently, especially in the luteal phase and stronger in women with PMDD. It has only small and inconsistent effects
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-menstrual-cycle-influences-emotion-but-has-limited-effect-on-cognitive-2018/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect emotions and thinking ability?

Survey study, 2018

# Does the menstrual cycle affect emotions and thinking ability?

The menstrual cycle affects emotions consistently, especially in the luteal phase and stronger in women with PMDD. It has only small and inconsistent effects on cognitive tasks like memory and attention.

 Strong study design

Review of studies in women with PMDD and healthy women

## What they did

This is a review article that summarized findings from many methodologically sound menstrual cycle studies published over 50 years. Researchers focused on emotion-related and cognitive findings, particularly in women with PMDD and healthy women.

## What they found

Emotion-related changes across the cycle are consistent and better associated with progesterone and the luteal phase than with estradiol. Women with PMDD show enhanced sensitivity to normal hormone fluctuations. Menstrual cycle differences in cognitive tasks are small and difficult to replicate.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle has a clearer effect on mood and emotions than on thinking and brain function. Women with PMDD are particularly sensitive to hormone changes. This conclusion is based only on published studies that used good research methods, so some findings may not be captured.

50+ years

of menstrual cycle research reviewed

PMDD

shows enhanced sensitivity to hormone changes

Luteal phase

most strongly associated with emotion changes

## About the study

Original title The Menstrual Cycle Influences Emotion but Has Limited Effect on Cognitive Function Authors Sundström-Poromaa I Journal Vitamins and hormones Year 2018 Study design Survey study What was tested None (literature review) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.016](https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.016)

## Topics

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

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## Related studies

Systematic review, 2026

Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD?

Systematic review, 2025

How do cognition and behavior change across the menstrual cycle in people with PMDD?

Survey study, 2020

What symptoms best predict whether PMDD will seriously affect daily life?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Systematic review, 2014

Do estrogen and progesterone change how the brain processes emotions and decisions?

Review, 2013

What treatments work best for PMDD?

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