Menstrual cycle variation in spatial ability: relation to salivary cortisol levels

Area of Science:

• Cognitive psychology
• Neuroendocrinology

Background:

• Menstrual cycle phase influences hormonal fluctuations.
• Hormonal changes can affect cognitive functions, including spatial abilities.
• Cortisol levels, a stress indicator, vary across the menstrual cycle and impact cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between menstrual cycle phase and spatial performance.
• To examine the relationship between cortisol levels and spatial performance in relation to sex and menstrual cycle phase.
• To explore factors influencing sex differences in spatial abilities.

Main Methods:

• Administered the Primary Mental Abilities Test of Spatial Relations to undergraduate students (N=82).
• Collected saliva samples pre- and post-testing to measure cortisol levels.
• Grouped women by menstrual phase (menstrual, luteal, follicular) and oral contraceptive use.

Main Results:

• Men demonstrated higher spatial performance than women across most groups.
• Women in the luteal phase exhibited lower spatial performance compared to other female groups.
• No significant differences in cortisol levels were found across sexes or menstrual cycle phases.
• Cortisol levels did not correlate with spatial performance variations.
• Menstrual cycle phase explained 15% of the variance in spatial performance.

Conclusions:

• Menstrual cycle phase significantly impacts spatial cognitive performance in women.
• Observed sex differences in spatial performance are not solely explained by menstrual cycle phase or cortisol levels.
• Sociocultural and other physiological factors likely mediate individual differences in spatial abilities.