Survey study, 1999
Does the menstrual cycle affect spatial memory in women?
Yes. Women performed better on a spatial memory test during non-menstrual phases of their cycle compared to during menstruation.
What they did
Researchers tested 23 men and 34 women on a computerized task requiring them to remember the exact positions of objects. They compared women's performance at different points in their menstrual cycle.
What they found
Men showed better performance on this type of spatial memory task overall. In women, performance was higher during non-menstrual cycle phases compared to during menstruation on the same task.
What it means for you
Sex hormones may influence how well women perform on precise spatial memory tasks, with menstruation linked to lower performance. A main limitation is that testosterone levels in the participants did not clearly relate to memory performance, leaving the exact hormone mechanism unclear.
23
Males tested
34
Females tested
About the study
- Original title
- Sex differences and menstrual cycle effects in human spatial memory
- Authors
- Postma A, Winkel J, Tuiten A et al.
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 34
- What was tested
- Computerized spatial memory test
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00073-0