Ten Menstrual Cycle Myths

Back in 1981, a survey of Americans found that over half of the respondents thought that women were more emotional while menstruating. About one quarter of the more than 100 people questioned believed that women cannot function normally or do their work as well during their menstrual periods. Not surprisingly, more men than women expressed these beliefs. To investigate these beliefs, studies were done that involved task performance during the entire menstrual cycle. No evidence of premenstrual or menstrual decline was found in mental skills or physical performance.