Objectives: A relationship between affective symptoms and menstrual cycle in women with bipolar disorder (BPD) has been suggested. This study investigates the influence of the menstrual cycle on mood in women with BPD who are taking medication, but not selected for menstrual abnormalities.
Methods: Data from women with BPD (n = 17) consecutively enrolled into a ChronoRecord validation study were included in the current analysis. All women received medication for BPD, in addition, 35% received oral contraceptives (OC). Participants entered mood, menstrual data, psychiatric medications, and life events daily for a 3-month period using a computerized version (ChronoRecord) of an established paper based form for self-reporting (ChronoSheet).
Results: The majority of women treated for BPD (65%) reported significant mood changes across the menstrual cycle. Long menstrual cycle was present in 59% of subjects, including those taking OC.
Conclusions: Women with BPD taking medication report a high rate of long menstrual cycles, and significant mood changes in relation to menstrual cycle phase.