The menstrual cycle and mood disorders.

Greater attention to the possible effects of the menstrual cycle on the course of mood disorders in women has revealed that, at least for a subset of women with mood disorders, the premenstrual phase of the cycle may be a period of increased vulnerability for the appearance of a period of severe depression or for the worsening of an ongoing period of depression. The data supporting this conclusion and the implications for future research is summarized and discussed.