Ovulation News and Research

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Ovulation is the process in a female's menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum (also known as an oocyte, female gamete, or casually, an egg). Ovulation also occurs in the estrous cycle of other female mammals, which differs in many fundamental ways from the menstrual cycle. The time immediately surrounding ovulation is referred to as the ovulatory phase or the periovulatory period.

Vitamin E intake linked to a key fertility hormone in women trying to conceive

A cross-sectional study of 97 women with infertility found that higher vitamin E intake was associated with lower prolactin levels and smaller hip circumference. Riboflavin and calcium intake were linked to higher muscle mass percentage, but the findings are association-based and need confirmation in longitudinal studies.

26 Apr 2026

Researchers map how menstrual cycle phases affect athletic performance

In a repeated-measures study of 18 eumenorrheic female athletes, half-squat strength was highest in the late follicular phase and around ovulation, while handgrip strength peaked in the late luteal phase. Psychological measures also shifted across the cycle, with lower vigor and higher fatigue and depression scores in the late luteal phase, supporting more individualized training monitoring.

12 Apr 2026

Fertility treatments linked to small increases in some cancers

Findings indicate small increases in certain cancers linked to assisted reproduction, though overall cancer incidence aligns with the general female population.

13 Mar 2026

The new 5-minute screening tool for endometriosis detection

A simple 5-minute test addressing major endometriosis diagnostic delays and treatment has been developed by University of Queensland researchers.

10 Mar 2026

Hormone fluctuations influence perceived effort during intense workouts

Female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuate monthly across the menstrual cycle, affecting moods and energy levels.

2 Mar 2026

Natural ovulation offers a safer path to IVF success

Researchers compare the effects of natural ovulation and external hormone replacement regimens for preparing the uterus before frozen embryo transfer.

4 Feb 2026

Natural ovulation matches hormone therapy success in frozen embryo transfer

Natural ovulation before frozen embryo transfer is as effective as hormone treatment for achieving a healthy baby by vitro fertilization (IVF), finds a clinical trial from China published by The BMJ today.

21 Jan 2026

Fish study reveals how ovulation triggers sexual receptivity in females

A research team led by Hiroshima University and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have proposed a neuroendocrine mechanism in bony fish that signals ovulation from the ovaries to the brain, using the medaka fish as a model; the first step to elucidate the neural circuits for facilitation of sexual receptivity in female teleosts.

9 Jan 2026

Self-administered injectable contraceptives face provider hesitancy despite availability

Self-administered injectable contraceptives have been available in the United States for more than two decades, yet a new study has found only about a quarter of reproductive health experts prescribe it - and many are unaware it's even an option.

9 Jan 2026

Four distinct subgroups of PCOS open up for more tailored treatments

Four distinct subgroups of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been identified in an international study published in Nature Medicine by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, among others.

29 Oct 2025

Women show peak cognitive performance during ovulation but exercise matters more

Women performed best on cognitive tests during ovulation but physical activity level had a stronger influence on brain function, according to a new study from researchers at UCL.

9 Oct 2025

Why women’s periods once synced with the moon — and what changed

Study reveals women's menstrual cycles follow lunar gravity, with synchronization detected during strong seasonal alignments despite artificial light effects.

30 Sep 2025

Does the menstrual cycle change sports performance?

This review analyzes nearly three decades of research on menstrual cycle phases and their inconsistent effects on women's athletic performance and physiology.

26 Sep 2025

Researchers uncover how chromosome crossovers protect fertility

When a woman becomes pregnant, the outcome of that pregnancy depends on many things - including a crucial event that happened while she was still growing inside her own mother's womb.

24 Sep 2025

Long COVID linked to heavier periods and symptom flare-ups during menstruation

Researchers found that long COVID is linked to heavier, longer, and more irregular bleeding without disrupting ovulation. Symptom severity also peaks around menstruation, likely driven by hormonal and immune changes.

17 Sep 2025

Wearable health trackers reveal how accurate your smartwatch really is

Researchers compare the different health parameters measured by common wearable sensors used by consumers.

8 Sep 2025

Inherited DNA changes can cause hormone imbalance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Increased testosterone levels are a consistent hormonal abnormality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study identified specific DNA variants in the gene DENND1A, which increase testosterone production in PCOS.

29 Aug 2025

Adjusting fertility drug timing boosts ovulation success in rat models

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have found that changing the timing of fertility drugs to match the follicle maturity period significantly increases the number of ovulated oocytes-the cells that develop into eggs-during artificial fertilization, even in rats that typically produce few oocytes.

27 Aug 2025

Female body odor variations can shape male behavior and emotions

Researchers at the University of Tokyo explored how female body odor can influence behaviors in men. They found certain scent compounds in female body odor increased during ovulation and can subtly influence how men feel.

28 Jul 2025

Human eggs use a minimalist strategy to stay healthy for decades

Human eggs are some of the most patient cells in the body, lying dormant for decades until needed. A study published today in The EMBO Journal shows that the cells deliberately slow the activity of their internal waste disposal systems as they mature, most likely an evolutionary design which keeps metabolism low and damage at bay.

18 Jul 2025