---
title: Does the menstrual cycle affect spatial memory in women? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women performed better on a spatial memory test during non-menstrual phases of their cycle compared to during menstruation.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sex-differences-and-menstrual-cycle-effects-in-human-spatial-memory-1999/
---

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- Does the menstrual cycle affect spatial memory in women?

Survey study, 1999

# Does the menstrual cycle affect spatial memory in women?

Yes. Women performed better on a spatial memory test during non-menstrual phases of their cycle compared to during menstruation.

 Early or limited evidence

23 males and 34 females

## What they did

Researchers tested 23 men and 34 women on a computerized task requiring them to remember the exact positions of objects. They compared women's performance at different points in their menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Men showed better performance on this type of spatial memory task overall. In women, performance was higher during non-menstrual cycle phases compared to during menstruation on the same task.

## What it means for you

Sex hormones may influence how well women perform on precise spatial memory tasks, with menstruation linked to lower performance. A main limitation is that testosterone levels in the participants did not clearly relate to memory performance, leaving the exact hormone mechanism unclear.

23

Males tested

34

Females tested

## About the study

Original title Sex differences and menstrual cycle effects in human spatial memory Authors Postma A, Winkel J, Tuiten A et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1999 Study design Survey study Participants 34 What was tested Computerized spatial memory test Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00073-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00073-0)

## Topics

[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)

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