The literature on the relationships between changes in mood and the menstrual cycle reveals many inconsistencies due to the absence of certain control procedures. Daily self-reports of moods and physical symptoms were collected from women with normal cycles, women using oral contraceptives, and men for 35 days in a camouflaged study. Retrospective reports were made after menstruation became a salient feature of the study. Daily reports revealed no differences in mood across menstrual cycle phases, while retrospective reports resulted in stereotypical premenstrual and menstrual negative effect. Findings are consistent with recent reports of stereotypic responding in menstrual cycle research. (Author)