Non-randomised trial, 1982
Does your menstrual cycle affect how your brain works and how well you do on mental tasks?
Yes, brain activity and task performance change across the cycle, with performance best around ovulation and worst in the late luteal phase. Oral contraceptives eliminate these changes. This is a very small study with no control group.
What they did
14 women had their brain electrical activity measured with EEG, hormone levels tested, and took performance tests during their natural cycle and again while on oral contraceptives.
What they found
Brain waves were slower during the follicular phase and faster during the luteal phase. Performance on tasks was best around ovulation and worst during the late luteal and early menstrual phases. When women took oral contraceptives, these cycle-related performance changes did not happen. Changes in brain activity matched changes in hormone levels.
What it means for you
Your menstrual cycle affects how your brain works electrically and how well you think, likely through hormone effects on brain chemistry. Oral contraceptives can prevent these monthly performance swings. The main limitation is the very small sample size and lack of randomization.
14
women studied
slower waves
in follicular phase
around ovulation
best performance
About the study
- Original title
- Changes in physiological, EEG and psychological parameters in women during the spontaneous menstrual cycle and following oral contraceptives
- Authors
- Becker D, Creutzfeldt OD, Schwibbe M et al.
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1982
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 14
- What was tested
- Oral contraceptives versus natural menstrual cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(82)90057-9
Topics
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