---
title: Do estrogen and progesterone change how the brain processes emotions and decisions?
description: Yes. These hormones affect which brain areas activate when women process emotions and make decisions, particularly in areas involved in mood and choice-making
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/emotional-and-cognitive-functional-imaging-of-estrogen-and-progesterone-effects-2014/
---

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- Do estrogen and progesterone change how the brain processes emotions and decisions?

Systematic review, 2014

# Do estrogen and progesterone change how the brain processes emotions and decisions?

Yes. These hormones affect which brain areas activate when women process emotions and make decisions, particularly in areas involved in mood and choice-making. The specific pattern varies by hormone level and person.

 Strong study design

Healthy women of reproductive age, including those with PMDD

## What they did

Systematic review of 24 studies using brain imaging (fMRI) in healthy cycling women or those on hormonal birth control, plus 6 studies of PMDD and 3 of gender dysphoria. All participants were of reproductive age.

## What they found

Low and high levels of estrogen and progesterone had different effects on brain activity in areas like the amygdala (emotion), anterior cingulate cortex (emotion and attention), and inferior frontal gyrus (decision-making). However, the patterns varied across studies and groups.

## What it means for you

Hormones affect how the brain processes emotions and decisions, but the effect is complex and individual. Research is early. Larger, more detailed studies are needed to understand the exact mechanism.

24

studies in healthy cycling women

6

studies of PMDD

3

studies of gender dysphoria

## About the study

Original title Emotional and cognitive functional imaging of estrogen and progesterone effects in the female human brain: a systematic review Authors Toffoletto S, Lanzenberger R, Gingnell M et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2014 Study design Systematic review What was tested Natural menstrual cycle phases, hormonal birth control, hormone therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.025](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.025)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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## Related studies

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