--- title: "Science Says Period Brains Aren't A Thing: Women Are Not Surprised" date: 2017-07-17T18:29:21-04:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/science-says-period-brains-arent-a-thing" section: Blog (Archive) --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [From the Archives of Our Bodies, Our Blog](/blog)# Science Says Period Brains Aren't A Thing: Women Are Not Surprised By Amie Newman • July 17, 2017 Please note: This entry -- originally posted at [Our Bodies, Our Blog](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog) -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above. ![Period brain photo](data:image/png;base64,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) Photo (CC): Philippa Willitts Finally, a [study](http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00120/full) shows what those of us who menstruate already know: there is no such thing as “period brain.” According to researchers in Switzerland and Germany who collected data on 88 women, there is "no consistent association between women's hormone levels, in particular, estrogen and progesterone, and attention, working memory, and cognitive bias.” The study included both healthy women and women with endocrine conditions, primarily endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The women were given a series of [neuropsychological tests ](http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00120/full)so researchers could assess their visual memory, attention, and executive functions. [Two things](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170704093610.htm) set this study apart from others on the topic: the sample size was larger than usual and the women were followed through two consecutive menstrual cycles. Researchers found no replicable data from the first cycle to the second; meaning, there were no universal changes to women’s thinking because of hormonal changes. Professor Brigitte Leeners, the lead researcher [explained](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170704093610.htm) the findings: > Although there might be individual exceptions, women's cognitive performance is in general not disturbed by hormonal changes occurring with the menstrual cycle. The study’s findings challenge offensive stereotypes that women [can’t be leaders](http://www.mediaite.com/online/new-study-menstrual-cycles-dont-stop-women-from-being-excellent-political-leaders/) because hormonal changes before and during menstruation impact the way we think, or that we are illogical and unable to contain our “rage” when menstruating. No woman is immune from these absurd claims, [as we saw](https://www.bustle.com/articles/189974-hillary-clinton-cant-be-president-because-of-menstruation-claims-this-letter-to-the-editor-but-thats) in the campaign of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. As [Broadly](https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/59pymz/why-scientists-wrongly-thought-periods-prevented-women-from-thinking-clearly) shares, the results may not be a surprise to “anyone with a period and a brain” but they do bump up against [millennia of misogyny and misinformation](http://historybuff.com/incredibly-sexist-history-pms-rbGZdaWnDj23) when it comes to menstruation and women’s cognition or behavior: > The idea that menstruation makes women "crazy" has persisted since Ancient Greek times, when Hippocrates suggested women's wombs [wandered around their abdomens](http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/antiqua/gynecology/), causing depression and madness. > > By the mid-1800s, doctors had started writing articles linking "insanity" to periods. In 1840, a French physician argued that menstruating women's "intellectual capacities were diminished, and they were subject to very peculiar caprices, to whims of character and taste," [according](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1044286/pdf/medhist00014-0007.pdf) to the historian Michael Stolberg. The study comes at a good time in the growing “menstrual equity” movement, which aims to fight [period-shaming](http://www.newsweek.com/2016/04/29/womens-periods-menstruation-tampons-pads-449833.html) and address what some call a critical [human rights issue](https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/27/dispatches-menstruation-human-rights-issue-absolutely). Lack of access to menstrual hygiene and supplies impacts girls’ and women’s education and work opportunities as well as health. In Nepal, young women have [died](https://www.google.com/search?q=nepal+menstrual+huts&oq=nepal+menstrual+huts&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.4894j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) from being isolated in “menstrual huts.” It’s also an economic issue. Most cities and states in the United States (with the [exception](https://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/a-welcome-end-to-new-yorks-tampon-tax/) of some) still tax tampons as “luxury items” even though they are, obviously, a necessity, and extremely [difficult to access](https://www.thecut.com/2016/06/nyc-will-provide-tampons-in-schools-shelters.html) for women who are homeless or incarcerated. This study is more than a collection of scientific findings. It’s evidence that women’s bodies are not detrimental to our professional lives. And, sure, women already knew that. But it’s important to discuss. As Abigail Jones [writes](http://www.newsweek.com/2016/04/29/womens-periods-menstruation-tampons-pads-449833.html) in Newsweek, “We’ll never have gender equality if we don’t talk about periods." --- #### 2 Responses Our Bodies Ourselves is no longer able to accept comments. **Tali Avishay** on Jul 24, 2017 We wouldn't need to talk about periods if men didn't use them as an excuse to belittle us. When men do it it's Boys Club time. When women do it it's indelicate, unfeminine, and a lot of other masculine garbage. By the way, I personally do believe some women have mood-swings correlated with periods (typically before). That does not impair their cognitive functions! **Science Says Period Brains Aren’t A Thing: Women Are Not Surprised - Our Bodies Our Blog - SheVille** on Sep 27, 2020 \[…\] BY AMIE NEWMAN Finally, a study shows what those of us who menstruate already know: there is no such thing as “period brain.” According to researchers in Switzerland and Germany who collected data on 88 women, there is “no consistent association between women’s hormone levels, in particular, estrogen and progesterone, and attention, working memory, and cognitive bias.” Continue reading \[…\] ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [menstruation](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/menstruation) - [Mental Health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/mental-health) - [Research & Studies](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/research-studies) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)