Estimation of affective pictures in different phases of menstrual cycle

The study revealed that women estimated affective pictures with a higher valence (t = 2.72, p < 0.01) and a lower arousal (t = –5.70, p < 0.001) than men. The rating of affective images by men was stabile and independent of experimental day. Women rated pictures depending on the phase of menstrual cycle. Attractive pictures were rated as the most pleasant and arousing (statistically significant differences as compared to other phases and men) during the ovulatory (high 17β-estradiol) phase. The rating of neutral pictures did not depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle (except follicular). The rating of antipathetic pictures was less dependent on the phase of menstrual cycle, and in all cases (except luteal, high progesterone phase) these pictures were rated as less pleasant (t = –8.22, p < 0.01) and more arousing (t = 3.85, p < 0.01) as compared to estimates done by men