Effects of Ethanol and Psychomotor Tests on State Anxiety: Interaction with Menstrual Cycle in Women

10 non-alcoholic women (ages 20 to 25 yr.) were administered drinks containing ethanol 0.0, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.2 g/kg. They then performed four complex psychomotor tasks. Immediately prior to drinking and after completing the tasks they were given the Spielberger State-Anxiety Inventory. Women were tested both during follicular and the luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. A significant positive correlation was found between increments in anxiety scores and blood ethanol levels in the luteal but not in the follicular phase.