Survey study, 1993
Does cognitive ability change during different phases of the menstrual cycle?
No. Women performed equally well on verbal and spatial thinking tests regardless of menstrual cycle phase.
What they did
Researchers tested women on verbal and spatial thinking tests at different times during their menstrual cycle. They also tested women taking oral contraceptives and women with no periods, and measured hormone levels (LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone) at each time point.
What they found
No differences appeared in performance on verbal or spatial tests between menstrual cycle phases. No differences appeared between women with regular cycles, those on oral contraceptives, and those with no periods. Some weak correlations appeared between certain hormones and thinking, but these were very weak.
What it means for you
Menstrual cycle hormones do not affect how well women think or solve problems. Weak hormone correlations were found but should be treated with caution and do not prove a real effect.
About the study
- Original title
- No difference in cognitive performance between phases of the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Gordon HW, Lee PA
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None (observational)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(93)90045-m
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2026
Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD?
Cohort study, 2025
Are irregular menstrual cycles linked to lower thinking and memory skills in middle-aged women?
Systematic review, 2025
Does how well women think change throughout their menstrual cycle?
Systematic review, 2025
Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?
Review, 2024
What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?
Cohort study, 2023
Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?