Periods also affect women’s brains It is a general belief that during ‘that time of the month’ women turn into hormone-driven over-emotional beings that can burst into tears at any time. It is true that female brain is influenced by hormones during menstrual periods, but it is also true that their brains are being bombarded by hormones all the time! Progesterone, testosterone and estrogen are three main hormones that impact women during their menstrual cycle. As their levels change, so does women’s sexuality, mood and even the way memory works. And it’s not something that just happens during a one week timeframe – it happens all the time!