About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Research Proves That Women Turn Smarter When Ovulating

by Tanya Thomas on July 2, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Font : A-A+

 Research Proves That Women Turn Smarter When Ovulating

A new study has it that women are at their smartest self when ovulating.

The study, led by Belinda Pletzer at the University of Salzburg, Austria, claimed that the size of a woman's brain changes throughout her menstrual cycle, with some areas growing by as much as 2 per cent in the run-up to ovulation- when women are at their most fertile.

Advertisement

The researchers took MRI scans of the brains of women during their monthly cycles.

In women not taking the pill, they found an increase in the volume of grey matter in the right parahippocampal and fusiform gyri, areas of the brain involved in spatial location and facial recognition.
Advertisement

This boosts women's abilities to recognise faces, bodies and landscapes, said Pletzer.

In fact, she said that this may help them to locate a high-quality mating partner.

The team found that the effect is short-lived, however. After ovulation, rising levels of progesterone cause the gyri to shrink back.

The team also found that women on the pill had a bigger hippocampus and cerebellum, associated with memory and movement, compared to controls.

"The pill may exaggerate typical female behaviours such as superior language skills and memory," New Scientist quoted Pletzer as saying.

The study is published in Brain Research.

Source: ANI
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Women Health News

How Can Prenatal Checkups Help Lower Birth Weight?
Attending prenatal checkups can help reduce the risk of low weight at birth
Women Who Identify as Bisexual Women at Higher Suicide Risk
The higher suicide risk for bisexual women is associated with increased greater discrimination.
Risk Alert: Women on Oral Estrogen Hormones Face Higher Risk of Hypertension
Women over 45 years old taking estrogen pills have a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure compared to those using transdermal or vaginal formulations.
Chest Pain Medication Helps Treat Hot Flashes
The new study assessed the beneficial effects of nitroglycerin patches in treating hot flashes in postmenopausal women.
 Does Voluntarily Adding Folic Acid to Corn Masa Flour Prevent Birth Defects?
A new study investigated the rate of neural tube defects in predominantly Hispanic-populated women before and after the voluntary fortification of corn masa flour with folic acid.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Research Proves That Women Turn Smarter When Ovulating Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests