Randomised trial, 2009
Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how well you do memory tasks?
No, memory task performance was equally good in all cycle phases. However, the luteal phase involved higher mental stress, and the menstruation phase had more complaints.
What they did
A study where 12 female university students completed 30-minute computer-based memory tasks during their follicular, luteal, and menstruation phases. Blood samples were collected to confirm which phase they were in.
What they found
Task performance remained good across all three phases. Mental workload was higher and stress more easily felt during the luteal phase. The most frequent complaints occurred during menstruation, but task performance was still good.
What it means for you
Your ability to remember and process information stays the same throughout your cycle, even if you feel more stressed during the luteal phase. This is a very small pilot study and needs confirmation in larger groups.
12
female students
30 min
task duration
3 phases
follicular, luteal, menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of the menstrual cycle on language and visual working memory: a pilot study
- Authors
- Konishi K, Kumashiro M, Izumi H et al.
- Journal
- Industrial health
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 12
- What was tested
- Computer-based language and visual working memory tasks during three cycle phases
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.47.560