[Cognitive efficiency and psychoemotional tension in the various menstrual cycle phases]

Characteristics of the cognitive and emotional spheres were recorded in 67 healthy women aged 18-25 years 9-12 times in 1-2 menstrual cycles. The relationship of psychophysiological indicators activity of progesterone and cortisol in saliva was studied using a single monitoring. Using within individual comparisons it was established that the level of the psychoemotional tension women is lowest, and the cognitive effectiveness--the highest in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, then other phases. The highest level of non-verbal creativity was marked on the ovulatory and luteal but the highest activation and audio sensitivity--on the follicular and ovulatory phases of the cycle. The Correlation analysis showed that the changes of psychophysiological characteristics during a cycle are connected with the changes in the level of progesterone. These results provide evidence of the psychophysiological characteristics dependence on the neurohumoral status and the need to consider the phase of the menstrual cycle in psychometric measurements of female subjects.