---
title: How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?
description: Many women experience worsening psychiatric symptoms during the premenstrual and menstrual phases due to hormonal changes in estrogen and progesterone. Treatm
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/unmasking-the-cycle-premenstrual-and-menstrual-exacerbation-of-psychiatric-2025/
---

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- How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Review, 2025

# How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Many women experience worsening psychiatric symptoms during the premenstrual and menstrual phases due to hormonal changes in estrogen and progesterone. Treatment should monitor symptoms across the menstrual cycle and may include lifestyle changes, therapy, antidepressants, or hormonal therapies.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable - this is a literature review.

## What they did

Literature review examining how menstrual cycle phases affect various psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia in women.

## What they found

Many women report increased severity of psychiatric symptoms during specific menstrual cycle phases. Both hormonal and psychosocial factors contribute to heightened vulnerability during these phases.

## What it means for you

Understanding the connection between menstrual cycle and psychiatric symptoms helps improve diagnosis and treatment planning. This is a review article summarizing existing knowledge rather than a new research study.

## About the study

Original title Unmasking the cycle: Premenstrual and menstrual exacerbation of psychiatric disorders and impact on female mental health Authors Mazza M, Marano G Journal World journal of psychiatry Year 2025 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable - literature review. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v15.i8.107132](https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v15.i8.107132)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)

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

Study, 2026

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

Survey study, 2026

What is the true rate of PMDD, and does it worsen mental health conditions?

Survey study, 2001

How common is premenstrual dysphoric disorder and how is it related to other psychiatric conditions?

Review, 2002

What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected?

Randomised trial, 2023

What does research show about PMDD neurochemistry?

Randomised trial, 2021

Do women with depression or bipolar disorder experience worse symptoms before or during their menstrual cycle?

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