---
title: Does verbal memory change during different phases of the menstrual cycle or with oral contraceptives?
description: Verbal memory did not change across the natural menstrual cycle, but women taking oral contraceptives showed better verbal memory during the active pill phase
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-menstrual-cycle-phase-and-oral-contraceptive-use-on-verbal-memory-2008/
---

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- Does verbal memory change during different phases of the menstrual cycle or with oral contraceptives?

Non-randomised trial, 2008

# Does verbal memory change during different phases of the menstrual cycle or with oral contraceptives?

Verbal memory did not change across the natural menstrual cycle, but women taking oral contraceptives showed better verbal memory during the active pill phase. The effect on memory does not match how natural estrogen levels change.

 Early or limited evidence

16 naturally cycling women and 20 women using estrogen-based oral contraceptives

## What they did

Researchers tested 16 naturally cycling women twice (early follicular days 2-4 and mid-luteal days 20-22) and 20 oral contraceptive users on the same days. They measured verbal memory using the California Verbal Learning Test and other cognitive functions.

## What they found

Naturally cycling women showed no changes in verbal memory across the cycle. Women using oral contraceptives showed enhanced memory during the active pill phase (p<.05). None of the other cognitive measures changed with cycle phase or oral contraceptive use.

## What it means for you

Oral contraceptives affect verbal memory in ways that do not match natural hormone fluctuations. The study was small with only two test points per woman, making it less reliable.

16

naturally cycling women

20

women on oral contraceptives

p<.05

significance for better memory in active pill phase

## About the study

Original title Effects of menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive use on verbal memory Authors Mordecai KL, Rubin LH, Maki PM Journal Hormones and behavior Year 2008 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 16 What was tested Menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive use Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.03.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.03.006)

## Topics

[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)

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