--- title: How do sex hormones affect memory during the menstrual cycle? description: Some types of memory change across the menstrual cycle, related to hormone levels. Visual memory is lower during the menstrual phase, particularly in about ha url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/variations-in-memory-function-and-sex-steroid-hormones-across-the-menstrual-1992/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do sex hormones affect memory during the menstrual cycle? Study, 1992 # How do sex hormones affect memory during the menstrual cycle? Some types of memory change across the menstrual cycle, related to hormone levels. Visual memory is lower during the menstrual phase, particularly in about half of women. Other types of memory show less change. Moderate study design 25 women ## What they did Researchers measured memory, mood, and hormone levels in 25 women at two points in their cycle: during the menstrual phase and during the luteal phase. Women took several different memory tests. ## What they found Visual memory (delayed recall) was lower during the menstrual phase compared to the luteal phase. This effect was strongest in about half the women and was linked to progesterone levels. Other memory types and mood showed no phase differences. Memory scores were related to free testosterone and estradiol levels. ## What it means for you Hormone changes across the menstrual cycle may affect some types of memory, though the effect is not the same in all women or for all memory types. The main limitation is the small sample of only 25 women. 25 women studied 2 cycle phases measured ## About the study Original title Variations in memory function and sex steroid hormones across the menstrual cycle Authors Phillips SM, Sherwin BB Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1992 Study design Study Participants 25 What was tested Measurement of memory performance across menstrual cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(92)90008-u](https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(92)90008-u) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2026 Do brain wave patterns change across the menstrual cycle? Systematic review, 2026 Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD? Systematic review, 2025 How do cognition and behavior change across the menstrual cycle in people with PMDD? Systematic review, 2025 Does how well women think change throughout their menstrual cycle? Randomised trial, 2025 Does the menstrual cycle phase affect how much alcohol impairs women's memory? Randomised trial, 2024 Does estradiol prevent thinking problems before the period in women with suicidal thoughts? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗