Many women during the different phases of the menstrual cycle experience significant emotional and cognitive changes; for some, these changes can affect their everyday living. Premenstrual Dysphonic Disorder (PMDD) is a health problem that affects up to 5% of women of childbearing age. The exact cause is unknown; still, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle may play a role. Women with a family history of Postpartum Depression (PPD) may be at increased risk.

The purpose was to examine if Emotion recognition processing across menstrual cycle and a history of PPD are potential risk factors for PMDD.

We identified 34 women with a history of PPD and contacted their daughters to explain the purpose of our study. Of those meeting the criteria to participate, 38 volunteered (aged 18-30 y.o., right handed, educational level >9 y., regular cycle duration). The Emotion Recognition Task (ERT) was administered in the luteal and the follicular phase. Women found to present significant differences in emotion recognition depending on the estradiol and progesterone levels were clinically interviewed (DSM-V).

Of the 16 women who have showed significant differences across the two phases of the menstrual cycle, 7 were diagnosed with PMDD (43,7%). Among the ones who have not presented differences (22), only 2 received a diagnosis of PMDD (9%).

This study shows that Emotion recognition processing across menstrual cycle and a history of PPD may predict which women could be at risk for PMDD, playing, therefore a key role in PMDD early diagnosis.

No significant relationships.

The relationship between behavioral changes and the menstrual cycle in women at a reproductive age has been investigated in several studies; women during every menstrual cycle experience noticeable changes in levels of sex hormones which are consequently reflected on their mood and behavior. The relationship between the menstrual cycle and the emotion recognition processing has been also studied.

The aim of this study was to examine if differences exist between women with Premenstrual Dysphonic Disorder (PMDD) and women without PMDD in Emotion recognition processing across menstrual cycle.

We examined 26 women with a PMDD and 30 women without PMDD, who have both visited the Mental Health Centre (aged 18-35 y.o., right handed, educational level >9 y., regular cycle duration). Women were clinically interviewed (DSM-V); also the Emotion Recognition Task (ERT) was administered in the luteal and the follicular phase.

Women with PMDD showed significant differences in emotion recognition depending on the the luteal and the follicular phase (according to estradiol and progesterone level) whereas women without PMDD did not present significantly different responses to the emotional stimuli.

Our findings suggest that there is an effect of PMDD on emotional facial recognition across the two phases of the menstrual cycle. Thus, the importance of incorporating ERT in the formal clinical examination of PMDD is highlighted.

No significant relationships.