Personality Characteristics in the Menstrual Cycle

Abstract

Subjects complaining of premenstrual symptoms have been reported to vary from control subjects on a number of personality characteristics. Premenstrual symptom reporters have scored more highly on scales measuring neuroticism, trait anxiety and on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). This study reports the scores on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) N and L scale, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales and the GHQ in luteal and follicular phase. Premenstrual symptom sufferers were found to have significantly higher scores on all measures in both luteal and follicular phase. Premenstrual symptom sufferers also score more highly on both the STAI State and Trait Scales in luteal phase than in follicular phase. There were no significant differences in the GHQ or EQP N or L scale between cycle phases. Control subjects showed no significant difference in scores between cycle phases.