Randomised trial, 2005
Does stress hormone affect women's memory differently depending on menstrual cycle or birth control use?
Cortisol impaired memory in naturally cycling women but not in women on oral contraceptives, suggesting birth control pills may protect the brain from stress hormone effects on memory.
What they did
Three groups of women took either cortisol or placebo in a double-blind crossover study (each woman tried both). The groups were: women during menstrual phase, women in luteal phase, and women on oral contraceptives. One hour after taking cortisol or placebo, they completed a memory test.
What they found
Overall, cortisol significantly impaired memory retrieval. Both naturally cycling groups (menstrual and luteal phase) showed significant memory impairment after cortisol. However, women on oral contraceptives showed no significant effect of cortisol on their memory.
What it means for you
Oral contraceptives may reduce how sensitive the brain is to stress hormones. Natural hormone fluctuations across the menstrual cycle don't seem to protect memory from cortisol effects the way birth control hormones do. The main limits are the small sample size and unknown long-term effects.
13
Women tested during menstrual phase
14
Women tested during luteal phase
30 mg
Cortisol dose used
About the study
- Original title
- Cortisol and memory retrieval in women: influence of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives
- Authors
- Kuhlmann S, Wolf OT
- Journal
- Psychopharmacology
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- Single dose of cortisol (30 mg) or placebo, given 1 hour before memory testing
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0143-z
Topics
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