This study recognizes that many doctors over the years have acknowledged the fact that mood-based medications will affect those who menstruate differently due to insufficient testing across the menstrual cycle. With that, the study aims to understand the impact of bipolar disorder medication on those who menstruate, as 17 participants were asked to self-report their moods on daily basis. The study went for over a year, and found that 10 out of the 17 participants had an elongated menstrual cycle, with 3 out of those 10 participants facing  oligomenorrheic (irregularly long or infrequent) menstrual cycles. Significant mood changes were reported across the cycle, but no particular pattern was seen. While this research was very thorough about the ways in which they examined the menstrual cycle, it’s hard to tell how generalizable the results can be, due to a very small sample size. However, the amount of participants with an elongated menstrual cycle was statistically significant. 

Conclusions and Limitations

Rasgon, N., Bauer, M., Glenn, T., Elman, S., & Whybrow, P. C. (2003). Menstrual cycle related mood changes in women with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorders, 5(1), 48-52.

Rutgers University

References for the Menstrual Cycle & Mental Health

Menstrual Cycle Related Mood Changes in Women with Bipolar Disorder

Albert, K., Pruessner, J., & Newhouse, P. (2015). Estradiol levels modulate brain activity and negative responses to psychosocial stress across the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 59, 14-24.

Estradiol Levels Modulate Brain Activity and Negative Responses to Psychosocial Stress Across the Menstrual Cycle

Mihm, M., Gangooly, S., & Muttukrishna, S. (2011). The normal menstrual cycle in women. Animal reproduction science, 124(3-4), 229-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.08.030

The Normal Menstrual Cycle in Women

Van Goozen, S. H., Wiegant, V. M., Endert, E., Helmond, F. A., & Van de Poll, N. E. (1997). Psychoendocrinological assessment of the menstrual cycle: the relationship between hormones, sexuality, and mood. Archives of sexual behavior, 26, 359-382.

Psychoendocrinological Assessment of the Menstrual Cycle: the Relationship Between Hormones, Sexuality, and Mood

Leibenluft, E., Fiero, P. L., & Rubinow, D. R. (1994). Effects of the menstrual cycle on dependent variables in mood disorder research. Archives of General Psychiatry, 51(10), 761-781.

Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Dependent Variables in Mood Disorder Research

Akdeniz, F., & Karadag, F. (2006). Does menstrual cycle affect mood disorders?. Turk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 17(4), 296.

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