--- title: Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how the brain responds to food pictures? description: The luteal phase showed slightly stronger brain responses to high-calorie food pictures, and this response was linked to higher progesterone levels and more s url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/food-cue-elicited-brain-potentials-change-throughout-menstrual-cycle-modulation-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how the brain responds to food pictures? Randomised trial, 2020 # Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how the brain responds to food pictures? The luteal phase showed slightly stronger brain responses to high-calorie food pictures, and this response was linked to higher progesterone levels and more severe premenstrual symptoms. Moderate study design 35 women with regular menstrual cycles ## What they did 35 women watched pictures of high-calorie food, low-calorie food, and neutral images during three different menstrual cycle phases (follicular, ovulatory, and luteal), with the order randomized. Brain activity was recorded using EEG at each phase, and saliva samples were taken to measure hormone levels and mood. ## What they found Brain activity in the parietal region showed larger responses to high-calorie food compared to neutral pictures, with responses being slightly larger during the luteal phase for both food categories. During the luteal phase, progesterone levels and how much premenstrual symptoms interfered with daily life predicted larger brain responses to high-calorie pictures. ## What it means for you The luteal phase may increase how much the brain notices food cues, possibly because of progesterone and premenstrual symptoms. This could help explain increased food cravings before the period. The main limitation is the small sample size of 35 women. 35 women studied 3 menstrual cycle phases ## About the study Original title Food cue-elicited brain potentials change throughout menstrual cycle: Modulation by eating styles, negative affect, and premenstrual complaints Authors Strahler J, Hermann A, Schmidt NM et al. Journal Hormones and behavior Year 2020 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Observation across three menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104811](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104811) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/) 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 Review, 1997 Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle, especially in women with PMS? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2026 How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? Survey study, 2025 Are food cravings and hedonic hunger linked to PMS? Survey study, 2024 Can period-related symptoms predict whether female cyclists manipulate their periods? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗