---
title: Does menstrual cycle change stress effects on cortisol and memory?
description: Yes. When hormones are low (follicular), stress triggers strong cortisol responses that impair emotional memory, but when hormones are high (luteal), stress d
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-effects-on-cortisol-responsivity-and-emotional-retrieval-2015/
---

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- Does menstrual cycle change stress effects on cortisol and memory?

Randomised trial, 2015

# Does menstrual cycle change stress effects on cortisol and memory?

Yes. When hormones are low (follicular), stress triggers strong cortisol responses that impair emotional memory, but when hormones are high (luteal), stress does not produce this cortisol response.

 Moderate study design

40 women, age 18-40 years (50% White), 20 tested during follicular phase and 20 during luteal phase

## What they did

40 women (20 follicular, 20 luteal phase) learned word pairs to perfection. Next day: either control or Trier Social Stress Test (TSST: public speaking plus math). Then they recalled the words. Researchers measured cortisol and memory.

## What they found

Women in the follicular phase showed a significant cortisol rise to the stress test, while women in the luteal phase did not. Stress reduced emotional word retrieval accuracy in both phases. However, individual differences in cortisol rise predicted memory impairment only in the follicular phase.

## What it means for you

When hormones are low, stress produces stronger cortisol responses that harm emotional memory. When hormones are high, the body has more protection from this stress response. However, stress still impairs memory through other mechanisms in both phases.

40

Total number of women

18-40

Age range (years)

50% White

Racial or ethnic composition

## About the study

Original title Menstrual cycle effects on cortisol responsivity and emotional retrieval following a psychosocial stressor Authors Maki PM, Mordecai KL, Rubin LH et al. Journal Hormones and behavior Year 2015 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Trier Social Stress Test Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.023](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.023)

## 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/)

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