Interactions between stress and performance during the menstrual cycle in relation to the premenstrual syndrome

Abstract

Differences between self-diagnosed premenstrual syndrome (PMS) sufferers and non-sufferers (both oral contraceptive users and normally cycling subjects) on performance, state, and reaction to mild stress at premenstrual or intermenstrual stages of the cycle were examined. All subjects reported increases in arousal and stress in the premenstrual phase but there was a significantly greater increase in reported arousal in the premenstrual phase in PMS subjects than in non-PMS subjects. There were no differences between subject groups on performance during the cycle, or on reaction to stress: for all subjects semantic processing on a word matching test improved premenstrually. No differences were found between pill and non-pill subjects. PMS subjects scored significantly higher on the Neuroticism scale of the EPI than non-PMS subjects, and were significantly more ‘A’ typed in personality on a Framingham A/B personality scale. It is suggested that a multivariate model is adopted for menstrual cycle research and clinical intervention for menstrual cycle problems, which would acknowledge the interaction of stressors and underlying cognitive-personality factors in the experience of individual women.