--- title: Do cyclical behavioral changes happen in women with mental disabilities, and what helps? description: Cyclical behavioral changes occur in 18% of women with mental disabilities. NSAIDs helped 65% of those treated, hormone injections helped 66%, and birth contr url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-treatment-of-cyclical-behavioral-changes-in-women-with-mental-disabilities-1999/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do cyclical behavioral changes happen in women with mental disabilities, and what helps? Survey study, 1999 # Do cyclical behavioral changes happen in women with mental disabilities, and what helps? Cyclical behavioral changes occur in 18% of women with mental disabilities. NSAIDs helped 65% of those treated, hormone injections helped 66%, and birth control pills helped 40%. Early or limited evidence 522 women of reproductive age with mental disabilities ## What they did Doctors reviewed medical records of 522 women with mental disabilities of reproductive age who visited a clinic. They looked for cyclical behavioral changes and documented what treatments were used and whether women improved. ## What they found 93 women (18%) showed cyclical behavioral changes, most commonly aggression or self-harm. Of 46 women given NSAIDs, 30 (65%) improved. Of 9 women given hormone injections (depomedroxyprogesterone), 6 (66%) improved. Of 15 given birth control pills, 6 (40%) improved. ## What it means for you Cyclical behavioral changes are common and may relate partly to menstrual pain or cramps, since NSAIDs work for most women. Hormone-based treatments also help many women when pain relievers don't. The main limit is that treatments were chosen by individual doctors rather than assigned randomly, and behavior was clearly documented in only 46% of cases. 522 Women studied 18% With cyclical behavioral changes 65% Improved on NSAIDs ## About the study Original title The treatment of cyclical behavioral changes in women with mental disabilities Authors Quint EH, Elkins TE, Sorg CA et al. Journal Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Year 1999 Study design Survey study Participants 522 What was tested NSAIDs, birth control pills, depomedroxyprogesterone hormone injections Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s1038-3188(99)00006-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/s1038-3188(99)00006-6) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/) 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 Randomised trial, 2011 Does sumatriptan-naproxen help women with period migraines and period pain function better? Systematic review, 2025 Does digital healthcare help manage period pain and PMS? Survey study, 2026 Are menstrual characteristics linked to depression and anxiety in teenage girls? Survey study, 2025 How do employed women seek relief for premenstrual and menstrual symptoms at work? Survey study, 2018 How common are premenstrual symptoms in female workers, and does exercise help? Survey study, 2025 What is premenstrual syndrome and how can it be managed in adolescent girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗