title: The association between menstrual cycle and traumatic memories.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle have been shown to have stronger emotional memories than other women. We investigated the extent to which experiencing a traumatic event during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle is associated with stronger traumatic flashback memories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive female patients admitted to hospital after traumatic injury (n=138) were assessed for days since last menstruation, as well as assessment of flashbacks. Twenty three (17%) women were in the mid-luteal phase (18-24) days at the time of trauma exposure and 29 (21%) were in the mid-luteal phase at the time of assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women were more likely to experience flashback memories if they were in the luteal phase during the trauma (22% vs. 9%), adjusted OR: 3.64 [95%CI: 0.99-13.29] after controlling for injury severity, age, trauma type, and mild traumatic brain injury. Women in the luteal phase at assessment were 4.89 times more likely to have flashbacks. Adjusted OR: 4.89 [95%CI: 1.39-17.86].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased glucocorticoid release associated with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may facilitate consolidation of trauma memories.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Australia. r.bryant@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Kim L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Felmingham
authors.forename: Derrick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silove
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Creamer
authors.forename: Meaghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McFarlane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000523:psychology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult