# Menstrual cycle and your self-perceived level of abilty **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127 "2009-10-26T01:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/1 "2009-10-26T01:59:46Z")
Leading out from a different thread, a narrative/anecdotal poll for the women: Would you characterize your general sense of competence at various things (dexterity, verbal articulation, etc) as to any degree dependent on/ related to/ correlating to “time of the month”, in whatever terms you can describe? Are you noticeably klutzy or nimble when you are premenstrual, or when you are menstrual, or what have you? [especially interested in the less-frequently reported _positive_ reports] ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/2 "2009-10-26T02:05:34Z")
Self reporting– Week 2 and 3: baseline. Pre-menstrual (week 4): Emotional (obvious answer); also noticeably poorer motor skills and verbal ability (dropping things, bad typing, stupid speaking and writing skills); heightened libido; obnoxious superhuman sense of smell. Menstrual (week 1) (after the ibuprofin suffering day 1): Noticeably high verbal and reasoning skills. High point of articulation in a month. More physically capable (endurance, dexterity). ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/3 "2009-10-26T02:19:40Z")
I’m my own control for this study. I was on Depoprovera for years, stopped my menstrual cycle all together. I’ve been off for about a year now and fertility has resumed as normal. No cycle: No particular shift in ability from week to week. With cycle: Aside from an upshift in libido sharp enough that it is actually freaking out my husband, no particular shift in ability from week to week. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/4 "2009-10-26T02:23:40Z")
As per other thread: 2-3 days before and during- Notice increased level of any athletic ability. Moves I couldn’t do before I can do. Weights that were incredibly heavy are less heavy. Running is easier. As soon as it ends, it all returns to pre-pre menstruation days. If only my training companions knew WHY I can do my moves right only once a month… ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/5 "2009-10-26T02:48:02Z")
I can’t say I’ve ever noticed any differences, so if there were any they’ve been slight. I don’t get emotional either. I guess I can pay more attention next time and see if I notice anything different. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/6 "2009-10-26T03:29:44Z")
Things slip through my fingers like a bad comedy routine for the few days prior to menstruation. ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/7 "2009-10-26T04:25:04Z")
I _feel_ incompetent at academic/intellectual stuff the few days prior, but I don’t have any reason to believe my performance is any different. Conversely, I feel extra-confident around mid-cycle. I’ve never noticed any changes in physical ability, or my perception of my physical ability. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/8 "2009-10-26T04:37:39Z")
No differences. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/9 "2009-10-26T06:53:24Z")
Some months I notice that I’m clumsier, but most of the time there’s nothing remotely like that. It doesn’t happen months I remember to take iron, so I’m fairly sure that being clumsy is related to being mildly anaemic. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/10 "2009-10-26T10:15:25Z")
When I realize I’m looking at pretty much anything male in terms of “bedding potential,” it means my period’s due within the next 36h. Sometimes I also get cranky on that same day, sometimes I don’t. No other noticeable changes that I can correlate with the “day of the month.” ---
**Author:** ![SecondJudith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/11 "2009-10-26T10:17:40Z")
In the 2-3 days before and the first day or two, I have noticeably more energy and I’m a bit more limber/flexible when stretching in the morning. Unfortunately I’m usually too dizzy, nauseous or heavily cramping to take advantage of it, but it is noticeable. ---
**Author:** ![Sebastienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Sebastienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sebastienne)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/12 "2009-10-26T18:25:42Z")
There’s a definite change in energy level throughout my cycle, and I’d definitely prefer to run a marathon while on my period or in the days immediately after. Haven’t ever noticed a change in ability beyond that though. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/13 "2009-10-26T22:51:06Z")
Astronomy reports have said that female observers have better limiting magnitude (that is, ability to see fainter stars and other objects) at a certain point in the cycle. I think it was either the few days before, or the first few days of, the period. (posted by a male) ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/14 "2009-10-26T23:36:32Z")
> [@Pullet](#): > > With cycle: Aside from an upshift in libido sharp enough that it is actually freaking out my husband, no particular shift in ability from week to week. This is one of my problems. I like sex. It’s a lot of fun. But the only way I can tell when my cycle is getting ready to begin is that I desperately want sex. Nothing else will do, and I must have it at least two or three times that day. Otherwise, once every other day is really cool. When I’m actually on my period, I seem to be more focused. I can work at my job longer, do more, and it not faze me in the slightest. Take today, for example. In 8 1/2 hours I did around 80 QA evaluations, got 35 minutes in on the treadmill, and 10 minutes on the Bowflex. Regular day: 45 evaluations, 30 minutes on the treadmill. Bowflex is only M-W-F, so I’d get that anyway. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/15 "2009-10-26T23:56:16Z")
I have my highest energy levels during ovulation. I feel my most depressed during my pre-menstrual phase. During this time, I find myself becoming overwhelmed by the simplest activities and I have to break everything down to the smallest steps in my mind. \*First I’m gonna grab my bag, then I’m going to get out the car, then I’m going to put the key in the lock, then I’m going to climb the stairs, etc… \*I also get really sleepy early in the evening. I become clumsier, more inarticulate, and spacey. I also have very intense dreams and my have difficulty falling asleep (I know that contradicts what I said earlier, but whenever I have insomnia, it’s during this phase). Once the red storm hits, things get better. I’ve noticed that on my second day, I usually feel a burst of good mood and energy as my estrogen levels start churning back up. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/16 "2009-10-31T15:31:18Z")
If there were differences in my abilities, I never noticed them. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menstrual-cycle-and-your-self-perceived-level-of-abilty/515127/17 "2009-10-31T16:57:43Z")
I’ve never noticed any change in my abilities, but I have an extremely irregular cycle so maybe I just never noticed the correlation between what’s going on in my brain and in my uterus. Besides the emotional differences and the obvious physical ones, I know I’m beginning PMS when I want to eat everything in sight and keep eating until I explode. Then, the day I begin my period and lasting all throughout, I lose all appetite.