PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Mental Health Anxiety

Study finds a link between increased negative thoughts and a woman’s time of the month

by Jocelyn Solis-Moreira
August 25, 2020
in Anxiety

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In addition to cramps and bloating, new research may add repetitive negative thinking to the list of side-effects for women on their period. The study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that women with generalized anxiety disorder reported more negative thoughts after the luteal phase (after ovulation) of their menstrual cycle compared to non-anxious women.

“Repetitive negative thinking is a transdiagnostic process in numerous psychological conditions that involves repeated, frequent, and uncontrollable thoughts that focus on the negative aspects of oneself and the world,” wrote the study authors.

An online survey prescreened eligible women along with collecting demographics and menstrual cycle information. A total of 40 women with general anxiety disorder and 41 nonanxious women enrolled in the study. Participants self-reported how long their menstrual cycle lasted, and researchers used luteinizing hormone tests to estimate a participant’s ovulation date.

Women underwent four sessions that corresponded with different phases of their menstrual cycle. During these sessions, women collected a small sample of their saliva between the hours of 8 PM to 11 PM. Afterwards, they filled out an online survey about their anxiety and menstrual cycle symptoms.

Researchers found that when the menstrual cycle of women with general anxiety moved from follicular (time between first day of period and ovulation) to the luteal phase (after ovulation), there was an increase in negative emotions and negative thoughts. The researchers used the participant’s saliva to study any abnormal fluctuations in sex hormone levels. Interestingly, the hormonal changes caused by estradiol and progesterone during a menstrual cycle were not associated with this increase in negative thoughts.

The researchers highlight several limitations which could have influenced the study results. These limitations included the lack of screening for women with premenstrual dysmorphic disorder and taking PMS into consideration when analyzing the data. In addition, the researchers write that taking serum samples versus saliva samples may have been more sensitive in detecting any variations in hormone levels.

“Future studies could better account for rapid fluctuations in salivary estradiol and progesterone by taking several measures within a 24-hr period.”

The study, “Women With Generalized Anxiety Disorder Show Increased Repetitive Negative Thinking During the Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle”, was authored by Sophie H. Li, Thomas F. Denson, and Bronwyn M. Graham.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend

Get all the latest updates on new psychology research with the free PsyPost app.
 


NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Study suggests that “highly sensitive persons” exhibit characteristics of vulnerable narcissism

Women who currently have or have recovered from anorexia perceive affective touch as less pleasant

Study suggests threesomes tend to be positive experiences, especially when shared with a romantic partner

Dark triad personality traits are related to specific types of humor, study finds

An attractive face is more likely to communicate warmth than competence, study finds

Exposure to cannabis cues increases brain activity among cannabis users, possibly triggering cravings

RECENT

Study suggests threesomes tend to be positive experiences, especially when shared with a romantic partner

Women who currently have or have recovered from anorexia perceive affective touch as less pleasant

An attractive face is more likely to communicate warmth than competence, study finds

Exposure to cannabis cues increases brain activity among cannabis users, possibly triggering cravings

People stigmatize BDSM practitioners more than the gay/lesbian population, according to a new study

  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
Powered by

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • About
    • Newsletter signup form
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Contact
  • Contact us
  • My account
  • Privacy policy
  • Psychology news
  • PsyPost app privacy policy
  • Shop
  • SmartMag Home

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.