Lab study, 2008
Does brain activity related to emotion change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. The pattern of brain activity between the two sides of the front of the brain shifts between ovulation and menstruation, suggesting different emotional tendencies at different cycle phases.
What they did
16 healthy women had their brain activity measured using magnetoencephalography, a non-invasive imaging method, during two times: around ovulation and during menstruation.
What they found
Brain activity patterns were significantly different between the two cycle phases. During ovulation, there was relatively more activity on the right side of the front of the brain. During menstruation, there was relatively more activity on the left side. Right-side activity is associated with positive approach emotions, while left-side activity is associated with negative avoidance emotions.
What it means for you
Brain organization for emotional processing shifts during the menstrual cycle. This may affect emotional style and mood. However, this is a very small study of brain activity in a specific context, so results should be treated as preliminary.
16
women studied
2
cycle phases measured
right side
brain activity during ovulation
About the study
- Original title
- The resting frontal alpha asymmetry across the menstrual cycle: a magnetoencephalographic study
- Authors
- Hwang RJ, Chen LF, Yeh TC et al.
- Journal
- Hormones and behavior
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Lab study
- Participants
- 16
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.11.007