University of Barcelona study links progesterone to brain activity and mood

A study led by Professor Macià Buades at the University of Barcelona has identified how progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle influence brain activity and emotional well-being. Published in the journal Psychological Medicine, the research utilized neuroimaging and saliva analysis on 116 women with natural menstrual cycles.

The findings indicate that higher levels of progesterone are associated with brain activity patterns that make it more difficult for the brain to distinguish between easy and emotionally demanding situations. Specifically, scans showed that in the lateral frontal pole, brain patterns become more similar when progesterone is high, suggesting a reduced ability to differentiate emotional contexts. This shift is linked to lower moods and may provide a foundation for more personalized treatments for hormone-related mood disorders, such as premenstrual dysphoria.