The Connection Between Trauma and Your Cycle

The fluctuation in hormone levels across a menstrual cycle has a significant impact on symptoms of psychological disorders. Recent research suggests these symptoms especially impact individuals with trauma-related disorders. The following illustration is based on the information in four research articles (listed below). This is a simple explanation of how your menstrual cycle and your brain connections can affect your trauma-related symptoms.

• Sources

  • Eisenlohr-Moul, T., Divine, M., Schmalenberger, K., Murphy, L., Buchert, B., Wagner-Schuman, M., Kania, A., Raja, S., Miller, A. B., Barone, J., & Ross, J. (2022). Prevalence of lifetime self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in a global sample of 599 patients reporting prospectively confirmed diagnosis with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-03851-0

  • Saunders, K. E., & Hawton, K. (2006). Suicidal behaviour and the menstrual cycle. Psychological medicine, 36(7), 901–912. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291706007392

  • Mu, E., Thomas, E. H. X., & Kulkarni, J. (2022). Menstrual Cycle in Trauma-Related Disorders: A Mini-Review. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 3, 910220–910220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.910220

  • Green, S.A., Graham, B.M. (2022). Correction to: Symptom fluctuation over the menstrual cycle in anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD: A systematic review. Arch Women’s Mental Health, 25, 829-830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-022-01237-5

  • Nillni, Y. I., Rasmusson, A. M., Paul, E. L., & Pineles, S. L. (2021). The Impact of the Menstrual Cycle and Underlying Hormones in Anxiety and PTSD: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go From Here?. Current psychiatry reports, 23(2), 8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01221-9

    Research Linking Adolescent Peer Support To Decrease In Maladaptive Coping Strategies, Specifically Self-Harm

  • Copeland, M., Siennick, S. E., Feinberg, M. E., Moody, J., & Ragan, D. T. (2019). Social Ties Cut Both Ways: Self-Harm and Adolescent Peer Networks. Journal of youth and adolescence, 48(8), 1506–1518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01011-4