Twenty-one healthy women were studied during one menstrual cycle in order to determine whether cortisol and growth hormone responsivity to psychological stress was related to estrogen levels. Blood was drawn approximately three times per week for analysis of estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, and human growth hormone. During either the menstrual or intermenstrual phase, each subject participated in an interview that was designed to be mildly stressful. State and trait anxiety were assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Anxiety state was measured prior to and immediately following exposure to the psychological stress; trait anxiety was assessed at the end of the study. Cortisol and growth hormone responses to the psychological stress were not related to menstrual cycle phase. Anxiety levels were also independent of menstrual cycle phase. Subjects who displayed significant cortisol and/or growth hormone responsivity to the interview had significantly higher anxiety levels post stress than did nonresponders, although anxiety level prior to the interview was not different for the two groups.

Fourteen women served as subjects in a study of the relationships between emotional states, enjoyment of activities, and reproductive hormones. Each subject was psychologically and physically healthy, had a documented history of normal and regular menstrual cycles, was not taking oral contraceptives, and was involved in an ongoing heterosexual relationship. Each woman participated for at least two complete menstrual cycles. The Profile of Mood States and the Social-Sexual Activities Log were filled out daily; other questionnaires were completed less frequently. Blood was drawn between 3 and 5 times/week and was analyzed, using radioimmunoassay methods, from plasma levels of estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone. Twenty-seven of the twenty-eight cycles appeared to be normal and ovulatory, according to accepted endocrinological criteria. Results showed that in this sample of healthy women there was no relationship between mood states or enjoyment of activities and phase of the menstrual cycle, and no relationship between these psychological states and absolute levels of the reproductive hormones estradiol and progesterone.

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