---
title: Can we detect differences in how women's brains work during different parts of the menstrual cycle?
description: Yes. Brain activity patterns are different during menstruation, the follicular phase, and the luteal phase, with 72-93% accuracy in detecting these difference
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/physiological-differences-in-the-follicular-luteal-and-menstrual-phases-in-2017/
---

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- Can we detect differences in how women's brains work during different parts of the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2017

# Can we detect differences in how women's brains work during different parts of the menstrual cycle?

Yes. Brain activity patterns are different during menstruation, the follicular phase, and the luteal phase, with 72-93% accuracy in detecting these differences depending on which phases are compared.

 Early or limited evidence

15 healthy young women with regular menstrual cycles.

## What they did

Researchers made three brain activity recordings on 15 healthy young women. One recording was made during menstruation, one during the follicular phase (before ovulation), and one during the luteal phase (after ovulation).

## What they found

Researchers could distinguish between all three cycle phases using brain activity patterns with more than 72% accuracy. They could distinguish between the follicular and luteal phases with over 93% accuracy. The pattern was related to anxiety or progesterone sensitivity.

## What it means for you

The brain works differently at different points in the cycle. This is a very small study with only 15 women, so findings may not apply to all women.

15

women studied

>72%

accuracy distinguishing all 3 cycle phases

>93%

accuracy distinguishing follicular and luteal

## About the study

Original title Physiological Differences in the Follicular, Luteal, and Menstrual Phases in Healthy Women Determined by Electrovestibulography: Depression, Anxiety, or Other Associations? Authors Lithgow BJ, Moussavi Z Journal Neuropsychobiology Year 2017 Study design Survey study Participants 15 What was tested None, observational study. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1159/000487771](https://doi.org/10.1159/000487771)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)

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