---
title: How do reproductive hormones affect the brain and behavior during the menstrual cycle?
description: Reproductive hormones like estradiol and progesterone change significantly during the menstrual cycle and affect mood, thinking, perception, and behavior thro
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-brief-guide-to-the-menstrual-cycle-and-oral-contraceptive-use-for-researchers-2020/
---

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- How do reproductive hormones affect the brain and behavior during the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2020

# How do reproductive hormones affect the brain and behavior during the menstrual cycle?

Reproductive hormones like estradiol and progesterone change significantly during the menstrual cycle and affect mood, thinking, perception, and behavior through effects on the brain. The same applies to hormones in oral contraceptives.

 Strong study design

Review article (not a patient study)

## What they did

Literature review summarizing evidence that reproductive hormones affect the brain and behavior, and explaining the physiology of the menstrual cycle and how oral contraceptives work.

## What they found

Large changes in estradiol and progesterone occur during the menstrual cycle. These changes can influence mood, thinking, perception, and motivation in both humans and laboratory animals. Oral contraceptives produce similar hormone-related effects on the brain.

## What it means for you

The menstrual cycle involves large hormone shifts that the brain responds to, which can affect mood and thinking. This is normal physiology. Understanding how these hormones work can help researchers study menstrual-related symptoms. This is an educational summary, not a clinical study, so it reviews general patterns rather than testing a specific treatment.

Large changes

in estradiol and progesterone during menstrual cycle

## About the study

Original title A brief guide to the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use for researchers in behavioral endocrinology Authors Hampson E Journal Hormones and behavior Year 2020 Study design Review What was tested Review (no intervention tested) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104655](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104655)

## Topics

[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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