Study, 1989
Are there differences in how the brain processes language during different parts of the menstrual cycle?
In women who experience worse mood before their period, the brain processes language differently and they perceive fewer positive words in the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase.
What they did
Compared how women's brains responded to language presented through headphones in the premenstrual versus follicular phases of their cycles. Also tracked women's mood over three months.
What they found
Women who reported more sadness before their period showed differences in how their brain processed language sounds. These same women also reported hearing fewer positive words in the premenstrual phase compared to the follicular phase.
What it means for you
There may be biological differences in how the brain works during different cycle phases in women who experience premenstrual mood changes. The abstract does not tell us how many women were studied, how strong these differences are, or whether they matter in everyday life.
3
months of mood tracking
About the study
- Original title
- Neuropsychological correlates of menstrual mood changes
- Authors
- Altemus M, Wexler BE, Boulis N
- Journal
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None - observation of natural cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198905000-00007
Topics
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