Menstrual Cycle News and Research

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New study set to examine how internal body signals impact mental health

Psychologists at the University of Surrey are inviting volunteers to take part in a unique new study examining how the brain processes bodily signals, like heartbeats or hunger (interoception), and whether it is connected to a person's mental health over time.

12 Oct 2026

Women with bipolar disorder and regular cycles report worse premenstrual symptoms

Researchers have found that women with bipolar disorder who have regular menstrual cycles are more likely to report severe premenstrual symptoms than those with irregular cycles, according to preliminary research being presented at the 2026 ECNP Congress in Munich.

11 Oct 2026

Body fat distribution may influence hunger hormones more than daily diet

Body fat distribution may reveal more about hunger hormones than recent diet.

9 Oct 2026

Gut bacteria may help explain why endometriosis pain varies

A study of 50 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis found that differences in gut bacterial composition were associated with menstrual pain, urinary symptoms, and infertility.

9 Oct 2026

Women entering menopause early report increased anxiety and depression

A study by the University of Oulu has found that women who entered menopause earlier than usual reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression than women of the same age who had not yet entered menopause.

6 Oct 2026

Menstrual tracking apps lack evidence of health and performance benefits

Digital menstrual tracking risks creating more harm than benefit and requires greater scrutiny, warn experts in The BMJ today.

30 Sep 2026

Hormonal shifts alter brain patterns linked to female mood

During the menstrual cycle, when progesterone levels are higher, patterns of brain activity emerge that make it more difficult to distinguish between less and more emotionally demanding situations.

23 Sep 2026

Bariatric surgery restores menstrual cycles and reduces polycystic ovaries in obese women

Metabolic bariatric surgery improves menstrual cycle frequency and symptoms of polycystic ovaries in women living with obesity, a new study from the University of Surrey reports.

7 Sep 2026

Ovulation drives women to use conspicuous luxury to attract men

Hormonal fluctuations associated with fertility are associated with a greater tendency for women to use conspicuous luxury symbols, potentially to be noticed by men, according to a study published September 2, 2026, in the open access journal PLOS One by Aekyoung Kim of Jeonbuk National University of the Republic of Korea, and colleagues.

4 Sep 2026

Progesterone levels linked to brain patterns underlying mood changes

The influence of the hormone progesterone on mood is well known. Now researchers from the University of Barcelona have shown how higher levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle are linked to less distinct patterns of activity in areas of the brain involved in controlling emotions.

2 Sep 2026

Blood hormone signature could transform endometriosis diagnosis

People with endometriosis have a distinct pattern of hormones which could be identified by a blood test, with the potential to revolutionise diagnosis of the condition, research suggests.

6 Jul 2026

Longer hormone exposure linked to healthier brain aging in women

Research indicates that hormonal therapies and later menopause are associated with increased brain volume and thickness, promoting healthier aging.

26 Jun 2026

The menstrual cycle changes heart-rate variability but not strength

Menstrual cycle phases influence heart autonomic regulation, showing HRV variations, yet muscle performance and mood states remain largely unchanged.

23 Jun 2026

Estradiol changes may shape how much women move during the menstrual cycle

A 28-day wearable-sensor study of 26 healthy naturally menstruating women found that active energy expenditure varied across the menstrual cycle and was higher in the early follicular phase than the late follicular phase.

21 Jun 2026

Hormone cycles dictate how the brain absorbs neuroprotective drugs

Consider what we ask of a clinical trial. We gather people who differ in nearly every way that matters, we give them the same drug at the same dose, and then we average the result and call the average truth.

16 Jun 2026

Study links menstrual cycle timing to COVID vaccine side effects

A study of 1,474 Clue app users found that women vaccinated against COVID-19 during the follicular phase had higher odds of self-reported side effects than those vaccinated during the luteal phase.

8 Jun 2026

Shopping data reveals hidden period pain disparities in England

The study highlights how shopping behavior reflects menstrual pain prevalence, revealing inequalities in health management across income levels.

2 Jun 2026

Menstrual pain relief purchases reveal stark income-related healthcare disparities

More than a quarter of women buying menstrual products also purchase pain relief at the same time-and those in lower-income areas are significantly less likely to do so-according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS Digital Health by Dr. Victoria Sivill of the University of Bristol, UK, and colleagues, which used supermarket loyalty card data to map menstrual pain disparities across England.

28 May 2026

Vaginal bromocriptine may ease pain and heavy bleeding in adenomyosis

A pilot randomized controlled trial found that vaginal bromocriptine reduced menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, menstrual duration, and cycle irregularity in women with adenomyosis compared with routine treatment.

27 May 2026

Women who sleep less may face more irregular menstrual cycles

A study on 42,759 menstrual cycles shows that sleep quality affects menstrual health, with implications for physiological stability and individual variability.

27 May 2026