--- title: Does menstrual cycle phase affect how exercise changes stress hormones, energy use, or thinking ability? description: Menstrual cycle phase does not change how exercise affects thinking ability, but it does change how the body uses energy and stress hormones in response to ex url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-menstrual-cycle-on-cognitive-function-cortisol-and-metabolism-after-a-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does menstrual cycle phase affect how exercise changes stress hormones, energy use, or thinking ability? Study, 2024 # Does menstrual cycle phase affect how exercise changes stress hormones, energy use, or thinking ability? Menstrual cycle phase does not change how exercise affects thinking ability, but it does change how the body uses energy and stress hormones in response to exercise. This is a small study. Early or limited evidence 12 active young women, age 22 to 30 years ## What they did Twelve active young women, aged 22 to 30 years, exercised twice: during follicular phase (days 7-10) and mid-luteal phase (days 21-24). Each session lasted 20 minutes at 60-70% reserve heart rate. Researchers measured stress hormone (cortisol), thinking ability (Stroop test), fat use, and energy expenditure before and after each session. ## What they found At rest, there were no significant differences between the follicular and luteal phases. After exercise, cortisol levels increased in both phases compared to before exercise. Cognitive function improved after exercise in both phases. Cortisol after exercise was significantly higher in the follicular phase than the luteal phase. Fat use after exercise was significantly higher in the follicular phase than the luteal phase. There were no significant differences between the follicular and luteal phases in how exercise affected cognitive function, energy expenditure, or respiratory exchange ratio. ## What it means for you The menstrual cycle may change how the body metabolizes energy during exercise and affects stress hormone responses, but thinking ability improves after exercise in both phases of the cycle. This is a very small study with only one exercise session type tested, so results need confirmation. 12 active young women 20 minutes exercise session duration 60-70% reserve heart rate intensity ## About the study Original title Effects of menstrual cycle on cognitive function, cortisol, and metabolism after a single session of aerobic exercise Authors Mirzaei Khalil Abadi M, Hemmatinafar M, Koushkie Jahromi M Journal PloS one Year 2024 Study design Study What was tested 20-minute cycling exercise session at 60 to 70 percent of reserve heart rate Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311979](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311979) Original abstract Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the two pre-ovulatory and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle on cognitive function, as well as possible mediators of metabolism and salivary cortisol, at rest and after an aerobic exercise session. Study design: Twelve active young unmarried women aged 22-30 years volunteered to participate in the study. The participants performed a 20-min exercise session on a cycle ergometer at 60-70% of their reserve heart rate twice, during the follicular (pre-ovulation: days 7-10) and luteal (mid-luteal: days 21-24) phases of the menstrual cycle. Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol. Fat utilization, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and energy expenditure (during exercise) were measured using a spiroergometer. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop test. Cognitive function and cortisol levels were measured before and after each exercise session. Results: The findings of this study indicated no significant differences in variables during the resting follicular and luteal phases. Cortisol levels and cognitive function were increased after exercise compared with before exercise in both the follicular and luteal phases. Cortisol and fat utilization after exercise were significantly higher in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase. There were no significant differences between the follicular and luteal phasesregarding the effects of exercise on cognitive function, energy expenditure, and RER. Conclusion: In general, the follicular and luteal phases of menstruation may not affect cognitive function in response to a single aerobic exercise session, although they change some metabolic factors and cortisol. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Study, 2008 Do women who are naturally anxious show bigger stress responses during certain parts of their menstrual cycle? Systematic review, 2026 Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms? Cohort study, 2026 Are stress, physical activity, and diet linked to premenstrual symptoms? Cohort study, 2025 Is the stress hormone cortisol different in women with PMDD? Lab study, 2025 Does yogic pilates and breathing exercises help PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗