---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect compulsive hair-pulling? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women reported premenstrual worsening of hair-pulling urges, frequency, and difficulty controlling the behavior, with improvement during menstruation. Pr
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-relationship-of-menstrual-cycle-and-pregnancy-to-compulsive-hairpulling-1997/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect compulsive hair-pulling?

Survey study, 1997

# Does the menstrual cycle affect compulsive hair-pulling?

Yes. Women reported premenstrual worsening of hair-pulling urges, frequency, and difficulty controlling the behavior, with improvement during menstruation. Pregnancy effects were variable.

 Early or limited evidence

59 people with trichotillomania from clinics and a hair-pulling conference

## What they did

Cross-sectional survey of 59 people with trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling) from clinics and a hair-pulling conference. Used questionnaires about menstrual cycle and pregnancy effects, plus the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory.

## What they found

Premenstrual symptom exacerbation was reported for hair-pulling urge intensity, frequency, and ability to control pulling. Symptoms were alleviated during menstruation and shortly thereafter. Pregnancy effects were less clear, with both worsening and improvement reported.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle affects compulsive hair-pulling, with predictable worsening before periods and improvement during them. This should be recognized in assessing and treating the disorder. The impact of pregnancy on hair-pulling is less clear and needs more study. This is a small, self-reported sample.

59

people with trichotillomania

## About the study

Original title The relationship of menstrual cycle and pregnancy to compulsive hairpulling Authors Keuthen NJ, O'Sullivan RL, Hayday CF et al. Journal Psychotherapy and psychosomatics Year 1997 Study design Survey study What was tested None (observational survey) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1159/000289103](https://doi.org/10.1159/000289103)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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