Menstrual Cycle News and Research

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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

Wearable devices may help detect menstrual health changes earlier

Digital health tools, including wearables, provide critical data on menstrual health, enhancing understanding of hormonal fluctuations and women's well-being.

27 May 2026

Perimenopause nearly doubles women’s odds of poor heart health

Perimenopause is linked to worsening cardiovascular health, with significant declines in lipid and glucose scores, emphasizing the need for early assessment.

15 May 2026

Prenatal progesterone exposure alters brain development genes in male fetuses

Excessive exposure to progesterone in the womb can alter a gene in the frontal cortex in male sheep fetuses, which is needed for brain development and function, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.

11 May 2026

AI-driven hormone tracking could help detect infertility early and improve conception

Men and women who appear hormonally 'normal' may still have undetected disruptions in the timing and coordination of their reproductive hormones that could impair fertility, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.

8 May 2026

Brief walking breaks help the body control sugar after carb-rich meals

Brief brisk walking breaks during prolonged sitting improved post-meal interstitial glucose responses in healthy adults after carbohydrate-rich meals, with the strongest effects seen in women. Gluteal fat showed a more stable glucose pattern than abdominal fat, suggesting it may help buffer carbohydrate-related glucose rises through depot-specific uptake and lipid-synthesis pathways.

29 Apr 2026

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