--- title: Does memory performance change at different times during the menstrual cycle? description: Some types of memory and thinking skills changed across the menstrual cycle, particularly during the high-hormone phase, though the pattern varied by task typ url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/implicit-memory-varies-across-the-menstrual-cycle-estrogen-effects-in-young-2002/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does memory performance change at different times during the menstrual cycle? Study, 2002 # Does memory performance change at different times during the menstrual cycle? Some types of memory and thinking skills changed across the menstrual cycle, particularly during the high-hormone phase, though the pattern varied by task type. Estrogen appears responsible for these changes, not progesterone. Moderate study design 16 women aged 18 to 28 ## What they did 16 women aged 18 to 28 completed memory and thinking skills tests at two points in their menstrual cycle: the early follicular phase (low estrogen and progesterone) and the mid-luteal phase (high estrogen and progesterone). Tests measured different types of memory, fine motor coordination, how quickly someone can name things in a category, and mental rotation abilities. ## What they found One automatic memory test (generating examples from a category) performed better during the high-hormone phase. An intentional memory recall test did not change across the cycle. Another automatic memory test (recognizing fragmented objects) performed better during the low-hormone phase. Fine motor skills and naming speed improved during the high-hormone phase. Mental rotation abilities decreased during the high-hormone phase. Estrogen levels correlated with some of these changes. Mood did not change across the menstrual cycle. ## What it means for you Hormone levels affect how well women perform certain memory and thinking tasks, though effects vary by task type. Estrogen drives these changes more than progesterone. Since this was a small study of young women only, results may not apply to all women or older women. 16 Women tested 18-28 Age range 2 Cycle phases tested ## About the study Original title Implicit memory varies across the menstrual cycle: estrogen effects in young women Authors Maki PM, Rich JB, Rosenbaum RS Journal Neuropsychologia Year 2002 Study design Study What was tested Testing at two menstrual cycle phases (early follicular and mid-luteal) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0028-3932(01)00126-9](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0028-3932(01)00126-9) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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 Survey study, 2025 What behavioral symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are most common? Survey study, 2017 Does painful menstruation affect adolescent girls' mood, emotions, sleep, and thinking? Randomised trial, 2004 Does the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle affect mood and brain function? Survey study, 2026 Is there a good way to measure menstrual symptoms in teenage girls? Cohort study, 2025 Does worse PMS pain and concentration problems affect a woman's balance during her cycle? Non-randomised trial, 2024 Does cognitive-behavioral or mindfulness stress management help reduce PMS in high school girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗