---
title: Are women more emotionally reactive during their premenstrual phase?
description: Yes. Women are more emotionally reactive to anger-provoking situations during their premenstrual phase, especially if they have premenstrual symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-phase-and-reactions-to-aversive-events-a-study-of-hormonal-1996/
---

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- Are women more emotionally reactive during their premenstrual phase?

Lab study, 1996

# Are women more emotionally reactive during their premenstrual phase?

Yes. Women are more emotionally reactive to anger-provoking situations during their premenstrual phase, especially if they have premenstrual symptoms.

 Moderate study design

58 healthy women; 18 tested during follicular phase, 40 during premenstrual phase.

## What they did

They put 58 healthy women in a laboratory situation designed to provoke anger. Eighteen were tested during their follicular (pre-ovulation) phase, and 40 during their premenstrual phase. Half of the premenstrual group reported having emotional symptoms, and half did not.

## What they found

Both groups showed emotional and physical responses to anger provocation. However, women in the premenstrual phase showed stronger effects on blood pressure and more intense angry behavior compared to the follicular group. Among premenstrual women, those with reported emotional symptoms had different cortisol levels before the test, greater intensity of angry behavior, and reported more anger at the end, compared to those without premenstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

The premenstrual phase makes women more susceptible to strong emotional responses to negative events. Women with premenstrual symptoms showed even larger emotional reactions. This was a controlled laboratory test, so it may not reflect how women react in real life. The study was relatively small.

58

Total women

18

Tested in follicular phase

40

Tested in premenstrual phase

## About the study

Original title The premenstrual phase and reactions to aversive events: a study of hormonal influences on emotionality Authors Van Goozen SH, Frijda NH, Wiegant VM et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1996 Study design Lab study Participants 40 What was tested Laboratory anger-provoking task. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(95)00022-4](https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(95)00022-4)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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