Survey study, 1991
Does how your brain responds to images change during your menstrual cycle?
A specific type of brain wave activity changed based on hormone levels: it was strongest for babies and male faces when progesterone was high, and women found all images more pleasant when estrogen was high.
What they did
30 women looked at picture slides in 5 categories: babies, skin conditions, ordinary people, male models, and female models. Researchers measured their brain electrical activity and asked them to rate how they felt about each image.
What they found
The brain wave pattern was strongest for babies and male models when progesterone was high. When progesterone was high, women also rated images as less complex and less related to sexual interest. When estrogen was high, women rated all images as more pleasant.
What it means for you
Hormones during your menstrual cycle may affect how your brain responds to what you see. The main limitation is this study used pictures in a lab, not real-life situations, so findings may not apply to everyday experience.
30
women studied
5
image categories
2
key hormones examined
About the study
- Original title
- The relationship between menstrual phase and the P3 component of ERPs
- Authors
- Johnston VS, Wang XT
- Journal
- Psychophysiology
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 30
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1991.tb00723.x
Topics
Related studies
Survey study, 2026
What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women?
Survey study, 2026
What factors affect PMS in university students and does it impact schoolwork?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Survey study, 2025
Do women with PMS have higher anxiety, stress, and different personality traits?
Survey study, 2025
How do personality traits like neuroticism affect PMS severity and sexual satisfaction?
Survey study, 2025
Is PMS connected to mental health problems and lifestyle choices?