Menstrual Cycle News and Research

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Researchers call for comprehensive menstrual education in British schools

Teaching about periods in schools is still too focused on basic biological facts with insufficient information around how menstruation can affect a woman's mood and wellbeing, problems associated with menstrual bleeding and the impact on physical and academic performance, concludes a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers.

20 Aug 2025

Better technology access reduces healthcare gaps for African Americans

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have found that better access to technology can go a long way toward achieving equity in healthcare for African Americans in the United States.

6 Aug 2025

UCSF research maps over 600 conditions linked to endometriosis

Records from millions of patients at UC health centers found correlations between endometriosis, one of the most common diseases in women, and a bounty of other diseases.

31 Jul 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

Gut-brain axis in eating disorders offers new treatment potential

Understanding the gut-brain axis is key to addressing eating disorders. This study highlights microbiota's influence and emerging therapeutic approaches.

16 Jul 2025

Shared brain circuit drives opposite mating behaviors in male and female mice

In animals with social structures, the drive to reproduce is a complex process; governed by the brain, it's influenced by both internal cues such as hormones and external factors such as interactions with potential mates.

16 Jul 2025

Are you at risk? Waist size, not weight, could affect fertility in women

Researchers found that higher relative fat mass (RFM), a measure of visceral body fat, is significantly associated with increased infertility risk in U.S. women aged 20–44. The study suggests RFM may be a more sensitive screening tool for infertility risk than traditional BMI, especially in women with normal weight but high visceral fat.

3 Jul 2025

Vaginal microbiome fights back against stubborn BV infections

Vaginal microbiome-drug interactions affect antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches to enhance efficacy.

3 Jul 2025

Men lose more weight than women on the keto diet, new study reveals why

Men lose more weight than women on a ketogenic diet, according to a comprehensive review in Frontiers in Nutrition. Sex differences in hormones, metabolism, and fat distribution influence the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet for obesity.

22 Jun 2025

Estrogen-responsive cells found to heighten gut pain in females

Researchers uncovered how estrogen heightens gut sensitivity in females by activating PYY-secreting L-cells, which stimulate serotonin release from EC cells. This paracrine circuit intensifies pain signaling and may explain the sex bias in conditions like IBS.

16 Jun 2025

Mild breast tenderness and swelling found to be part of healthy menstrual cycles

A one-year study in healthy women who were also consistently cycling every 21-36 days and had normal ovulation, showed that it is usual to experience mild breast tenderness and swelling before the next period.

27 May 2025

Advanced microscopy reveals how hormonal fluctuations shape the brain

Hormone levels fluctuate like the tides, ebbing and flowing according to carefully orchestrated cycles.

13 May 2025

Menstrual cycle may drive inflammation in women with sickle cell disease

A marker linked to inflammation, C-reactive protein, may increase significantly during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in female patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to emerging research published today in Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis.

9 Apr 2025

Perimenopause can begin in the thirties yet remains widely misunderstood

Hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain and insomnia are all signs of hormonal changes and symptoms of menopause, when a woman no longer has menstrual cycles. They can also signal perimenopause, when the body is preparing for this next season of life.

8 Apr 2025

7-day creatine ‘wash-in’ boosts muscle mass in women — but not long-term, study reveals

A 7-day creatine monohydrate wash-in increased lean body mass in females, especially in the trunk, but adding creatine to resistance training didn’t boost muscle gains beyond training alone. Higher doses or hydration tracking may be needed for long-term effects.

23 Mar 2025

Cell map offers insights into endometrial dysfunction in women with PCOS

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) find it harder to get pregnant, have more frequent miscarriages and have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.

20 Mar 2025

TikTok influencers promote cycle syncing, but where’s the evidence?

Researchers analyzed 100 top TikTok videos on menstrual cycle syncing, finding that most lacked scientific credibility, with only 4% citing research and 30% providing creator credentials.

18 Mar 2025

Can sex help you sleep better?

Sexual activity—whether partnered or solo—improves sleep efficiency and reduces night-time wakefulness, according to a pilot study. The research also shows that couples who sleep together experience more synchronized REM sleep, regardless of sexual activity.

13 Mar 2025

The hidden impact of hormones on women's gum health and overall wellbeing

Did you know that gum health reveals more about your wellbeing that you might think? Gum disease isn't just about your teeth - it's an infection and inflammation that can adversely affect your entire body.

7 Mar 2025

Your BMI could be affecting your menstrual cycle—researchers explain how

Extreme BMIs—both high and low—are linked to irregular menstrual cycles and increased risk of anovulatory cycles, highlighting the importance of maintaining a normal BMI for reproductive health.

2 Mar 2025