Sex hormones affect spatial abilities during the menstrual cycle

The aim of this study was (a) to show that different measures of spatial co gnition are modulated by the menstrual cycle and (b) to analyze which stero id is responsible for these cognitive alterations. The authors collected bl ood samples in 3-day intervals over 6 weeks from 12 young women with a regu lar menstrual cycle to analyze concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, t estosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. The per formance on 3 spatial tests was measured during the menstrual and the midlu teal phases. A significant cycle difference in spatial ability as tested by the Mental Rotation Test was found, with high scores during the menstrual phase and low scores during the midluteal phase. Testosterone had a strong and positive influence on mental rotation performance, whereas estradiol ha d a negative one. These results clearly indicate that testosterone and estr adiol are able to modulate spatial cognition during the menstrual cycle.