THE menstrual cycle significantly impacts women’s emotional decision-making and cognitive processing, according to a new EEG study examining approach-avoidance behaviors across different hormonal phases.
In a behavioral and event-related potentials (ERP) analysis of 27 naturally cycling women, researchers observed distinct patterns of emotional response during the early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal phases. These differences were linked directly to fluctuations in estradiol and progesterone levels.
During the late follicular phase, when estradiol levels peak, participants demonstrated a faster approach toward positive stimuli. EEG results revealed smaller N2 amplitudes associated with impulsive, reward-seeking behavior, suggesting reduced cognitive effort in processing positive emotional cues.
Conversely, in the mid-luteal phase, when progesterone levels are elevated, participants were quicker to avoid negative stimuli. ERP data showed smaller P1 and N2 amplitudes in harm-avoidance tasks, again indicating more efficient cognitive processing—but this time for avoiding potentially harmful emotional cues.
Hormone-behavior correlations further supported these findings: estradiol was positively linked to benefit-approach responses, while progesterone was associated with increased harm-avoidance behavior.
These findings underscore a neuropsychological basis for behavioral shifts during the menstrual cycle. For clinicians, especially those working in psychiatry, primary care, and women’s health, this highlights the importance of considering hormonal phase when evaluating emotional and behavioral responses.
The study enhances understanding of how ovarian hormones subtly modulate the brain’s emotional regulation mechanisms. It also opens doors for more personalized approaches to behavioral therapy and emotional support strategies tailored to menstrual cycle dynamics.
Understanding these patterns may improve patient care, especially in contexts involving mood disorders, impulse control, or risk-related decision-making.
Reference: Li D et al. Effects of menstrual cycle phases on approach-avoidance behaviors in women: a behavioral and event-related potentials study. BMC Psychol. 2025;13(1):338.
