Affective Risk Associated With Menstrual Cycle Symptom Change
Jeff Kiesner1, Tory A Eisenlohr-Moul2, Giulio Vidotto3
1Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
Frontiers in Global Women'S Health
|August 8, 2022
Summary
Women experiencing cyclical mood changes during their menstrual cycle may face higher average affective symptoms. This includes those with mid-cycle mood increases, indicating a potential risk for chronic mood issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Women's Health
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Menstrual cycle-related affective symptoms are common.
- Previous research has yielded mixed findings on the relationship between cyclical symptom changes and overall symptom severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cyclical changes in affective symptoms during the menstrual cycle and mean symptom levels.
- To identify specific patterns of menstrual cycle affect that may indicate a risk for higher average affective symptom burden.
Main Methods:
- Prospective daily symptom tracking over two menstrual cycles in two independent samples of female university students (N=376).
- Application of quartic polynomial and cosine regression models to analyze cyclical symptom trajectories.
- Statistical testing for mean-level differences in symptoms across identified trajectory patterns.
Main Results:
- Contrary to some prior findings, individuals exhibiting cyclical changes in affect (perimenstrual or mid-cycle increases) were found to have higher average levels of affective symptoms.
- The study identified a specific group experiencing mid-cycle increases in affect as being at risk for elevated chronic affective symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Menstrual cycle-related affective symptom fluctuations are linked to higher overall symptom severity.
- The mid-cycle affective increase pattern warrants recognition as a potential risk factor for chronic negative affective symptoms and a target for future research.
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