Mood changes during the menstrual cycle and their relation to the use of oral contraceptive

The relation between the use of oral contraceptives and changes in positive and negative affect over the course of the menstrual cycle was studied in 50 women who completed a mood questionnaire daily during their menstrual cycle. Results indicated that users of oral contraceptives experience a higher level of positive affect during the cycle than do non-users. Positive affect scores were significantly higher than negative affect scores in the menstruation, follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. There were no significant differences between the groups and no discernible phasic changes on negative affect. Discussion of these findings centers on their implications concerning the relation between positive affect and oral contraceptives, the support they provide for the independence of positive and negative affect, and future directions for research in this area.