--- title: Does menstrual cycle phase affect memory ability? | Niyora description: Memory performance follows the menstrual cycle, with best performance in the late follicular phase when estradiol (estrogen) is high, and worst performance in url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-perceived-stress-predict-performance-on-the-mnemonic-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does menstrual cycle phase affect memory ability? Study, 2025 # Does menstrual cycle phase affect memory ability? Memory performance follows the menstrual cycle, with best performance in the late follicular phase when estradiol (estrogen) is high, and worst performance in the mid-luteal phase when progesterone is high. This is a large study. Moderate study design 183 women ## What they did 183 women completed a memory test (mnemonic similarity task) that measures pattern separation ability, which is how well the brain distinguishes between similar memories. Researchers tracked which phase of the menstrual cycle participants were in and measured perceived stress. ## What they found Pattern separation performance peaked in the late follicular phase, which is characterized by high estradiol. Performance reached its lowest point during the mid-luteal phase, which is characterized by moderate estradiol and high progesterone. The study also found that perceived stress may improve pattern separation performance. ## What it means for you This suggests that estradiol helps memory ability. The high-estrogen late follicular phase is associated with better memory performance. This is a large study, so the findings are more reliable. However, this test measures a specific type of memory in a lab setting, so it may not translate to everyday memory problems. 183 women studied ## About the study Original title Menstrual cycle and perceived stress predict performance on the mnemonic similarity task Authors Perović M, Mack ML Journal PloS one Year 2025 Study design Study Participants 183 What was tested Memory testing (mnemonic similarity task) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322652](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322652) Original abstract A growing body of literature demonstrates strong effects of ovarian hormones on the hippocampus and adjacent structures. However, resulting impacts on human cognition remain unclear. Addressing this gap, we examine pattern separation ability, a core hippocampal process, across the menstrual cycle using the mnemonic similarity task as a behavioral index (N = 183). We find a non-linear effect of the menstrual cycle, with pattern separation performance peaking in the high-estradiol, late follicular phase and reaching its lowest point during the mid-luteal phase, which is characterized by moderate estradiol and high progesterone levels. Additionally, we find that perceived stress may facilitate pattern separation performance. These results point to the importance of ovarian hormones for human cognition, reveal novel effects of perceived stress on mnemonic similarity task performance, and provide preliminary evidence of possible effects of menstrual cycle phase on neural pathways involved in pattern separation. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/) 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 Systematic review, 2022 Does the stress hormone cortisol change across the menstrual cycle? Cohort study, 2021 Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome? Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Review, 2003 How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD? Randomised trial, 2026 Which works better for PMDD: cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy? Systematic review, 2026 Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗