Menstrual Cycle and Contraceptive Hormonal Effects on Temporal Discrimination

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Abstract
2 groups of normal females, one group receiving synthetic oestrogen and progestogen preparations, were tested for the discrimination of temporally paired flashes on 5 occasions corresponding to standard points on the menstrual cycle. The discrimination scores were subjected to a signal-detection analysis. The results indicated lower sensory sensitivity scores for the medicated group which also failed to show the cyclical changes evidenced by the nonmedicated Ss. It is suggested that the cyclical changes paralleled the hypothetical changes in endogenous oestrogen and progesterone secretion which are nullified by the synthetic hormones.