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The association between menstrual cycle and traumatic memories

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 07:07 authored by Bryant, RA, Kim FelminghamKim Felmingham, Silove, D, Creamer, M, O'Donnell, M, McFarlane, AC
Background: Women in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle have been shown to have stronger emotional memories than other women. We investigated the extent to which experiencing a traumatic event during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is associated with stronger traumatic flashback memories. Methods: Consecutive female patients admitted to hospital after traumatic injury (n=138) were assessed for days since last menstruation, as well as assessment of flashbacks. Twenty three (17%) women were in the mid-luteal phase (18–24) days at the time of trauma exposure and 29 (21%) were in the mid-luteal phase at the time of assessment. Results: Women were more likely to experience flashback memories if they were in the luteal phase during the trauma (22% vs. 9%), adjusted OR: 3.64 [95%CI: 0.99–13.29] after controlling for injury severity, age, trauma type, and mild traumatic brain injury. Women in the luteal phase at assessmentwere 4.89 timesmore likely to have flashbacks. AdjustedOR: 4.89 [95%CI: 1.39–17.86]. Conclusions: Increased glucocorticoid release associated with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may facilitate consolidation of trauma memories.

History

Publication title

Journal of Affective Disorders

Volume

131

Issue

1-3

Pagination

398-401

ISSN

0165-0327

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Elsevier Science Bv

Place of publication

Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 Ae

Rights statement

Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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