Unmasking the cycle: Premenstrual and menstrual exacerbation of psychiatric disorders and impact on female mental health

Figure 1 Psychiatric symptom severity across the menstrual cycle. This timeline graph illustrates the correlation between different phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and premenstrual) and the relative severity of psychiatric symptoms. It highlights how symptom severity tends to peak during the premenstrual and menstrual phases.

Figure 2 Conceptual model of premenstrual exacerbation and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This figure presents a layered conceptual model illustrating how hormonal, psychological, and social factors interact to form an integrated vulnerability that contributes to clinical outcomes such as premenstrual exacerbation and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The model emphasizes the convergence of multiple biopsychosocial influences in shaping premenstrual psychiatric symptoms. PME: Premenstrual exacerbation; PMDD: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder; HPA: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.