Randomised trial, 2015
Does estradiol affect how impulsively women make decisions about rewards?
An observational study suggests that early in the menstrual cycle when estradiol is rising, women tend to make more impulsive decisions to get rewards quickly. When estradiol is highest later in the cycle, women become less impulsive again.
What they did
Observational study of women during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle who completed a test about choosing between getting rewards quickly versus waiting for larger rewards. Researchers measured natural estradiol levels and tracked changes in decision-making across the cycle phase.
What they found
Women made more impulsive choices early in the follicular phase when estradiol was rising. Early follicular estradiol correlated with women speeding up to get rewards faster but reduced ability to wait for better rewards. This pattern was strongest in women who are naturally less impulsive. In late follicular phase when estradiol was highest, women were less impulsive despite the higher hormone levels.
What it means for you
Estradiol may influence decision-making through effects on dopamine in the brain. The relationship was not straightforward: more estradiol did not always mean more impulsiveness. The practical importance of this for everyday decisions is unclear. The study did not state a clear sample size.
early vs late
follicular phase timing
non-linear
estradiol-impulsivity link
low impulsivity
most affected by hormone
About the study
- Original title
- Be quick about it. Endogenous estradiol level, menstrual cycle phase and trait impulsiveness predict impulsive choice in the context of reward acquisition
- Authors
- Diekhof EK
- Journal
- Hormones and behavior
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Observation of natural estradiol levels and decision-making patterns during menstrual cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.001