Premenstrual Phase Of Cycle Research Articles

Menstrual Cycle Effects on Mental Health Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis

The premenstrual phase of cycle has long been associated with a constellation of health symptoms for women. However, there has been no recent quantitative review of severe mental health outcomes as a function of the menstrual cycle. We examine cycle influences on completed suicides, suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, and psychiatric admissions, and contrast these with non-suicide deaths. We conducted a meta-analysis of 32 papers, with an N of 3,791. We find 26% greater risk of suicide deaths, 17% greater risk of suicide attempts, and 20% greater risk of psychiatric admissions at menstruation. We also observe 13% greater risk of psychiatric admissions during the premenstrual phase. Suicidal ideation was unrelated to the stage of menstrual cycle. Available evidence finds serious and consequential mental health outcomes in the menstrual and premenstrual phases.

Psychology degree examinations and the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle.

Questions are frequently raised about possible impairment of cognitive function in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. There is also concern that women may be at a disadvantage premenstrually on important occasions such as examinations. This study compared the marks on final-year psychology degree examinations in the premenstrual phase with those of the rest of the cycle. All of the 26 women students who were eligible to participate did so. Comparisons, within and between individuals, of Premenstrual and Nonpremenstrual marks, gave no indication of significant fluctuations with the cycle. Pre-examination arousal and anxiety, which were similar to the relevant published norms, did not appear to be related to the examination marks. There were no significant differences between students taking or not taking oral contraceptives. If there are any physiological and/or social-psychological effects of the cycle on high-level cognitive functioning these are presumably compensated for by the students in this situation. These findings suggest that women taking final degree examinations are not at a disadvantage during the premenstrual phase of the cycle.

Consistency of some personality measures as a function of stage of menstruation.

Two groups of college women were administered the Hand Test and selected scales from the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey. One group was tested in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle (days 20-25); the other group at the beginning of the cycle (days 5-9). Significant differences were obtained, but the results did not corroborate earlier findings that negative personality characteristics are associated with the premenstrual phase of the cycle. The implications of the results and relevant methodological considerations are discussed.