Your period can be annoying at best, and, at worst, a monthly endurance test.
We all know that people make sacrifices on their period – from less sleep, to cancelling plans due to cramps.
In fact, 38% of women feel they aren’t able to perform regular daily activities while bleeding.
But now, there’s finally some good news: new research has revealed that women have ‘cognitive advantages’ during menstruation.
In other words tasks that involve some brain power can be completed more effectively when on your period.
The paper, from researchers at University College London and published in Neuropsychologia, found women who don’t use hormonal contraceptives performed better on tasks while on their period, compared to at other points during their cycle.
The study used 241 participants, including 105 women who had natural cycles, 47 women on contraception and 96 men. They were all asked to complete cognitive tasks, such as a ‘smiley task battery’ in which they had to hit the space bar on their computer as quickly as possible when they spotted a smiley face or winky face, depending on the instructions. They repeated the test two weeks later.
There was no difference between performance in men and women. However, women with natural cycles had faster reaction times, reduced variability and fewer errors while on their period. They also performed worse during the luteal phase – typically the week before a period – compared to other stages of the cycle.
Try this sex position to ease period pain
Most of us feel hornier when we’re menstruating and the good news is, sex can actually help to curb period pains – and its much more fun than standard exercise.
Sex can actually be very helpful in relieving painful periods,’ Lucy Lettice, co founder of plastic-free period care brand &SISTERS, previously told Metro.co.uk.
‘Vaginal stimulation (in the form of penetration) can produce effective pain relief due to pressure on the vagina, and has been shown to increase pain threshold by 75%.’ she adds.
Not only is the spooning position a little more romantic and intimate than other sex positions, it’s also ideal for getting rid of cramps.
‘This position is comfortable for both parties as it doesn’t put pressure on the knees and involves lying down for the most part which, when a period cramp strikes, is a godsend,’ says Lucy.
‘The penetrating partner can put their hand against the receiving partner’s abdomen to allow their natural body heat to ease the menstrual pain.’
The boost in performance came despite women reporting poorer mood and symptoms, and them believing that their symptoms were negatively affecting their cognitive performance, during menstruation.
Dr Flaminia Ronca, the lead author of the study, said the result was ‘surprising’ and ‘challenges what women, and perhaps society more generally, assume about their abilities at this particular time of the month.’
She continued: ‘I hope that this will provide the basis for positive conversations between coaches and athletes about perceptions and performance: how we feel doesn’t always reflect how we perform.’
However, it’s important to note here that if you do indeed feel completely rubbish on your period, this research doesn’t mean you have to push yourself. Improved cognitive performance or not, you need to look after yourself.
The study adds to the influx of research surrounding women’s performance and abilities around their menstrual cycle, particularly relating to sports.
While ‘cycle syncing’ – tailoring workouts and lifestyle habits to the phase of your menstrual cycle – has become popular online and with athletes, there are huge gaps in the research to support the idea that women’s bodies need different levels of care at different weeks of the month.
UCL researchers noted that ‘a better understanding of female physiology is still needed for the provision of optimal athlete health support, as only 6% of the sport science literature so far focuses on all-female participant samples.’
More research is still needed as to whether this improvement in performance can translate off of computer screens and into physical activities.
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