Fluctuations in mood and psychological distress during the menstrual cycle

Abstract

This paper examines fluctuations in mood and symptoms associated with psychological distress during the phases of the menstrual cycle in two samples of university women. The first (Study I) sample of women (N = 162) was randomly selected from the University population. The second sample (Study II) was women (N = 138) who attended a psychiatric clinic. The subjects completed a questionnaire which included measures of depression, anxiety and general psychological distress. Information about the menstrual cycle and contraceptive pills was elicited from the subjects who were unaware that affect during the menstrual cycle was being studied. In study I there were no significant differences in depression, anxiety or psychological distress between phases of the cycle. The results of study II indicated that even in a group of women with emotional problems, it was not possible to demonstrate an increase in the average severity of mood disturbance or psychological distress during any phase of the menstrual cycle. It was concluded that in general, university women between the ages of 18-30 who are mostly single, nulliparous, with or without significant psychopathology, seeking or not seeking psychiatric help do not experience significant or disruptive fluctuations in mood and symptoms of psychological distress during the phases of the menstrual cycle. Women who are afflicted with distressing and incapacitating cyclical fluctuations are best studied as a vulnerable subgroup.