Study, 1992
How do sex hormones affect memory during the menstrual cycle?
Some types of memory change across the menstrual cycle, related to hormone levels. Visual memory is lower during the menstrual phase, particularly in about half of women. Other types of memory show less change.
What they did
Researchers measured memory, mood, and hormone levels in 25 women at two points in their cycle: during the menstrual phase and during the luteal phase. Women took several different memory tests.
What they found
Visual memory (delayed recall) was lower during the menstrual phase compared to the luteal phase. This effect was strongest in about half the women and was linked to progesterone levels. Other memory types and mood showed no phase differences. Memory scores were related to free testosterone and estradiol levels.
What it means for you
Hormone changes across the menstrual cycle may affect some types of memory, though the effect is not the same in all women or for all memory types. The main limitation is the small sample of only 25 women.
25
women studied
2
cycle phases measured
About the study
- Original title
- Variations in memory function and sex steroid hormones across the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Phillips SM, Sherwin BB
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 25
- What was tested
- Measurement of memory performance across menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(92)90008-u
Topics
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