A study of auditory reaction time in different phases of the normal menstrual cycle.

Reaction time is an indirect index of processing capabilities of the central nervous system. The present study was carried out to determine if there is any alteration of simple auditory reaction time across the normal menstrual cycle. In this study, reaction time of 100 female medical and paramedical students was recorded in different phases of their menstrual cycle namely premenstrual, menstrual, middle of proliferative, middle of secretory phase and on the expected day of ovulation. Results were expressed as mean, standard deviation and statistically analyzed using student's paired 't' test. On comparing each phase with the corresponding adjacent phases auditory reaction time was significantly increased (P<0.05) in premenstrual phase and on the expected day of ovulation. Thus fluctuating levels of sex steroids across normal menstrual cycle affect sensory motor association of an individual.