The impact of the menstrual cycle on emotions and behavior—A review of current research
Abstract
The menstrual cycle has attracted the interest of many researchers for many years. It is analyzed from many angles, including its impact on mental health. Hormonal changes over the course of the cycle have a very strong impact on the emotions, needs, or pain experienced. Estrogen, secreted shortly before ovulation, influences increased confidence and feelings of attractiveness, which can lead to new relationships. In contrast, progesterone, secreted during the luteal phase, promotes the strengthening of stable relationships, and a large proportion of women may experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) during this time. This publication discusses studies from recent years that have assessed the variability of women’s needs and emerging symptoms during different phases of the cycle. It also summarizes any strategies and practical tips needed to work with women considering their cyclical variability.
References
[1]Ainsworth, A., Peven, K., Bamford, R., et al. (2023). Global Menstrual Cycle Symptomatology as Reported by Users of a Menstrual Tracking Mobile Application. Journal of Psychology p. 20-35 https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3087510/v1
[2]Allen, T. D., Johnson, R. C., Kiburz, K. M., et al. (2012). Work–Family Conflict and Flexible Work Arrangements: Deconstructing Flexibility. Personnel Psychology, 66(2), 345–376. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12012
[3]Beníčková, M., Gimunová, M., Paludo, A. C. (2024). Effect of circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle on physical performance in women: a systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1347036
[4]Bernal, A., and Paolieri, D. (2022). The influence of estradiol and progesterone on neurocognition during three phases of the menstrual cycle: Modulating factors. Behavioural Brain Research, 417, 113593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113593
[5]Bhatia, S. C., and Bhatia, S. K. (2002). Diagnosis and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. American Family Physician, 66(7), 1239–1248.
[6]Bürger, I., Erlandsson, K., and Borneskog, C. (2024). Perceived associations between the menstrual cycle and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A qualitative interview study exploring lived experiences. Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 40, 100975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100975
[7]Chandra, P. S. (2013). Knowledge about menstruation and reproductive health among adolescent girls in rural India. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26(3), 163-167.
[8]Chrisler, J. C. (2011). Leaks, Lumps, and Lines. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 35(2), 202–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684310397698
[9]Çınar, H. Ü., Kızılkan, M. P., Akalın, A., et al. (2023). Assessing the Menstrual Cycle and Related Problems in Adolescents with a Genetic Syndrome Associated with Intellectual Disability. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 36(4), 363–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2023.02.005
[10]Comasco, E., Frokjaer, V. G., and Sundström-Poromaa, I. (2014). Functional and molecular neuroimaging of menopause and hormone replacement therapy. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2014.00388
[11]Debruine, L. M. (2005). The impact of hormonal contraceptive use on women’s risk-taking behavior during the ovulatory phase. Evolution and Human Behavior, 26(3), 272-280.
[12]Durante, K. M., Griskevicius, V., Hill, S. E., et al. (2011). Ovulation, Female Competition, and Product Choice: Hormonal Influences on Consumer Behavior. Journal of Consumer Research, 37(6), 921–934. https://doi.org/10.1086/656575
[13]Freeman, E. W. (1995). Efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment of premenstrual dysphoria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 1(1), 71-79.
[14]Gloe, L. M., Kashy, D. A., Jacobs, E. G., et al. (2021). Examining the role of ovarian hormones in the association between worry and working memory across the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 131, 105285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105285
[15]Hackney, A. C., Kallman, A. L., and Ağgön, E. (2019). Female sex hormones and the recovery from exercise: Menstrual cycle phase affects responses. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 11(1), 87–89. https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2019-0011
[16]Hamidovic, A., Karapetyan, K., Serdarevic, F., et al. (2020). Higher Circulating Cortisol in the Follicular vs. Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: A Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00311
[17]Handy, A. B., Greenfield, S. F., Yonkers, K. A., et al. (2022). Psychiatric Symptoms Across the Menstrual Cycle in Adult Women: A Comprehensive Review. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 30(2), 100–117. https://doi.org/10.1097/hrp.0000000000000329
[18]Haselton, M. G., Mortezaie, M., Pillsworth, E. G., et al. (2007). Ovulatory shifts in human female ornamentation: Near ovulation, women dress to impress. Hormones and Behavior, 51(1), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.07.007
[19]Hirschberg, A. L. (2012). Sex hormones, appetite and eating behaviour in women. Maturitas, 71(3), 248–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.12.016
[20]Hoppenbrouwers, K., Roelants, M., Meuleman, C., et al. (2015). Characteristics of the menstrual cycle in 13-year-old Flemish girls and the impact of menstrual symptoms on social life. European Journal of Pediatrics, 175(5), 623–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-015-2681-7
[21]Hromatko, I., and Mikac, U. (2023). A Mid-Cycle Rise in Positive and Drop in Negative Moods among Healthy Young Women: A Pilot Study. Brain Sciences, 13(1), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13010105
[22]Karali, E., and Gürkan, Ö. C. (2024). Effects of laughter yoga on premenstrual symptoms. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 30(2), 6-12.
[23]Kvalem, I. L., Dahr Nygaard, I. M., Træen, B., et al. (2024). Menstrual attitudes in adult women: A cross-sectional study on the association with menstruation factors, contraceptive use, genital self-image, and sexual openness. Women’s Health, 20. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241249553
[24]Lundin, C., Danielsson, K. G., Bixo, M., et al. (2017). Combined oral contraceptive use is associated with both improvement and worsening of mood in the different phases of the treatment cycle—A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 76, 135–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.033
[25]Maner, J. K., and Miller, S. L. (2014). Hormones and social monitoring: Menstrual cycle shifts in progesterone underlie women’s sensitivity to social information. Evolution and Human Behavior, 35(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2013.09.001
[26]Marjoribanks, J., Brown, J., O’Brien, P. M. S., et al. (2013). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001396.pub3
[27]Meers, J. M., Bower, J., Nowakowski, S., et al. (2024). Interaction of sleep and emotion across the menstrual cycle. Journal of Sleep Research. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.14185
[28]Miller, G., Tybur, J. M., and Jordan, B. D. (2007). Ovulatory cycle effects on tip earnings by lap dancers: economic evidence for human estrus?. Evolution and Human Behavior, 28(6), 375–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2007.06.002
[29]Monteiro, D. C., Ramos, C. da S., Alves, L. E. N. N., et al. (2024). Functional and structural neuroimaging in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 175, 205–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.024
[30]Nappi, R. E., Cucinella, L., Bosoni, D., et al. (2022). Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder as Centrally Based Disorders. Endocrines, 3(1), 127–138. https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines3010012
[31]Neave, N. (2008). Hormones and behavior: The influence of phase of the menstrual cycle on behavioral tendencies. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 20(5), 683-692.
[32]Passoni, P., Inzoli, A., De Ponti, E., et al. (2024). Association between Physical Activity and Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Young Athletes. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(07), 543–548. CLOCKSS. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2278-3253
[33]Peyrot, C., Provencher, J., Duplessis Marcotte, F., et al. (2024). Using unconditioned responses to predict fear acquisition, fear extinction learning, and extinction retention patterns: Sex hormone status matters. Behavioural Brain Research, 459, 114802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114802
[34]Pletzer, B., and Noachtar, I. (2023). Emotion recognition and mood along the menstrual cycle. Hormones and Behavior, 154, 105406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105406
[35]Quaglia, C., Nettore, I. C., Palatucci, G., et al. (2023). Association between Dietary Habits and Severity of Symptoms in Premenstrual Syndrome. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 1717. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031717
[36]Ramey, E. S. (2023). Tracking Menstrual Cycles for Mood Insight and Suicide Prevention. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(7), 5–6. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20230111-01
[37]Reed, B. G., Carr, B. R., Feingold, K.R.,et al. (editors). (2018). The normal menstrual cycle and the control of ovulation. MDText.com, Inc
[38]Reilly, T. J., Sagnay de la Bastida, V. C., Joyce, D. W., et al. (2019). Exacerbation of Psychosis During the Perimenstrual Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 46(1), 78–90. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbz030
[39]Rogan, M. M., and Black, K. E. (2022). Dietary energy intake across the menstrual cycle: a narrative review. Nutrition Reviews, 81(7), 869–886. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuac094
[40]Romans, S., Clarkson, R., Einstein, G., et al. (2012). Mood and the Menstrual Cycle: A Review of Prospective Data Studies. Gender Medicine, 9(5), 361–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genm.2012.07.003
[41]Rugvedh, P., Gundreddy, P., and Wandile, B. (2023). The Menstrual Cycle’s Influence on Sleep Duration and Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47292
[42]Russman Block, S. R., Klump, K. L., Beltz, A. M., et al. (2024). Ovarian hormones reduce the negative association between worry and cognitive control: A combined neural and behavioral investigation. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 161, 106947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106947
[43]Schleifenbaum, L., Driebe, J. C., Gerlach, T. M., et al. (2021). Women feel more attractive before ovulation: evidence from a large-scale online diary study. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 3. https://doi.org/10.1017/ehs.2021.44
[44]Souza, M. do C. B. de, Antunes, R. de A., Souza, M. M. de, et al. (2024). Corpus luteum and progesterones in embryo transfer cycles: current challenges of different luteal phase support protocols. JBRA Assisted Reproduction, 28(2). https://doi.org/10.5935/1518-0557.20240044
[45]Sun, Q., Li, G., Zhao, F., et al. (2024). Role of estrogen in treatment of female depression. Aging. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205507
[46]Tauseef, H. A., Schmalenberger, K. M., Barone, J. C., et al. (2024). Is trait rumination associated with affective reactivity to the menstrual cycle? A prospective analysis. Psychological Medicine, 54(8), 1824–1834. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723003793
[47]Tiranini, L., and Nappi, R. E. (2022). Recent advances in understanding/management of premenstrual dysphoric disorder/premenstrual syndrome. Faculty Reviews, 11. https://doi.org/10.12703/r/11-11
[48]Uskul, A. K., and Over, H. (2014). Women’s mental health and well-being during the menstrual cycle: The role of perceived social support and self-compassion. Journal of Health Psychology, 19(11), 1343-1351.
[49]Wang, J.X., Zhuang, J.Y., Fu, L., et al. (2021). Social Orientation in the Luteal Phase: Increased Social Feedback Sensitivity, Inhibitory Response, Interpersonal Anxiety and Cooperation Preference. Evolutionary Psychology, 19(1), 147470492098686. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474704920986866
[50]White, T. L. (2017). Hormonal influences on decision making and risk-taking in the menstrual cycle. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 30(4), 736-748.
[51]Yi, S. J., Kim, M., and Park, I. (2023). Investigating influencing factors on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among female college students. BMC Women’s Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02752-y
[52]Yonkers, K. A. (2008). Efficacy of new treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69(8), 1144-1152.
Copyright (c) 2024 Magdalena Kurpanik, Maja Grzybowska, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Katarzyna Barylska, Paweł Juraszek, Mateusz Krystian Grajek
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
