Women perform better in cognitive tests when menstruating, study finds

Surprising' results in tests could change assumptions about female athletes' abilities during their period, says author

Women make fewer mistakes and have better mental agility while on their period despite feeling worse than at any other time during their menstrual cycle, research suggests.

The research, conducted by the UCL Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), found that women's reaction times, accuracy and attention to detail were heightened while menstruating, challenging current hypotheses regarding how women perform in sports during their period.