MoonstrateSources
From Learn about your cycle.
Every claim about the body in the Learn guide traces to a graded entry in our evidence notes, and every PubMed id below was checked against the National Library of Medicine's database before it shipped. That check matters more than it sounds: AI tools invent citations that look real, and we caught more than a dozen that way. What you see here is what survived.
Where we hold a PubMed or PMC id, the paper's real title is shown and links to the abstract, with our own note on what we used it for underneath. Sources cited by name only are listed in our shorthand until they are resolved to an id. This list is generated from the same file the app's Learn tab uses, so it cannot drift from what the app says.
Cycle physiology
- Extensive monitoring of the natural menstrual cycle using the serum biomarkers estradiol, luteinizing hormone and progesterone Practical laboratory medicine, 2021.Used for: natural-cycle hormone monitoring [PMC8042396, 2021]
- Endogenous reproductive hormones and C-reactive protein across the menstrual cycle: the BioCycle Study American journal of epidemiology, 2012.Used for: BioCycle CRP/hormones [Gaskins, Am J Epidemiol 2012]
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for dysmenorrhoea The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2015.Used for: Cochrane NSAIDs for dysmenorrhoea [Marjoribanks 2015]
- Menstrual cycle effects on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis PloS one, 2025.Used for: cognition meta-analysis [Jang, Zhang & Elfenbein, PLOS ONE 2025, PMC11913300]
- Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle Temperature (Austin, Tex.), 2020.Used for: thermoregulation [Charkoudian & Stachenfeld, Temperature 2020] + sleep/energy [Zhang 2020, PMC6981303]
- The effects of menstrual cycle phases on immune function and inflammation at rest and after acute exercise: A systematic review and meta-analysis Acta physiologica (Oxford, England), 2023.Used for: luteal innate-immunity meta-analysis [Notbohm 2023]
- Brain insulin action on peripheral insulin sensitivity in women depends on menstrual cycle phase Nature metabolism, 2023.Used for: insulin sensitivity & brain-insulin [PMC10513929, 2023]
- 5α-Reductase Inhibition Prevents the Luteal Phase Increase in Plasma Allopregnanolone Levels and Mitigates Symptoms in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2016.Used for: allopregnanolone→PMDD RCT [Martinez 2016, PMC4748434] (the verified causal late-luteal finding)
Nutrition & the cycle
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron fact sheet + Vitamin B6 fact sheetUsed for: NIH ODS fact sheets (Iron, B6)
- Calcium carbonate and the premenstrual syndrome: effects on premenstrual and menstrual symptoms. Premenstrual Syndrome Study Group American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 1998.Used for: Thys-Jacobs 1998 calcium RCT [Am J Obstet Gynecol]
- Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 1999.Used for: Wyatt 1999 B6 SR [BMJ]
- The impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials European journal of clinical pharmacology, 2022.Used for: omega-3 & dysmenorrhea MA
- Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as a potential treatment for reducing dysmenorrhoea pain: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis Nutrition & dietetics : the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia, 2024.Used for: PMID 37545015
- Efficacy of Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Nutrients, 2024.Used for: zinc & dysmenorrhea MA [PMC11643716, 2024]
- Premenstrual syndrome and alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ open, 2018.Used for: alcohol & PMS MA [Fernández 2018, BMJ Open]
- Blood glucose variance measured by continuous glucose monitors across the menstrual cycle NPJ digital medicine, 2023.Used for: CGM glucose across cycle [Lin 2023, npj Digital Medicine]
- Premenstrual Syndrome and Nutritional Factors: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Clinical Implications Journal of clinical medicine, 2026.Used for: PMS narrative review [Martire 2026, J Clin Med]
- Efficacy of Seed Cycling as an Integrative Therapy for Premenstrual Syndrome and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Reproductive-Aged Women: A Systematic Review Cureus, 2025.Used for: seed cycling SR [PMC12461132]
Movement & exercise
- The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2020.Used for: McNulty 2020 performance MA [PMC7497427]
- Current evidence shows no influence of women's menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training Frontiers in sports and active living, 2023.Used for: Colenso-Semple & Phillips 2023 resistance umbrella review [Frontiers]
- Some properties of neurophysins isolated from bovine neurosecretory granules Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1975.Used for: PMID 1054542
- Menstrual cycle phase does not influence muscle protein synthesis or whole-body myofibrillar proteolysis in response to resistance exercise The Journal of physiology, 2025.Used for: muscle-protein-synthesis RCT 2024/25 [J Physiol, PMC11870050]
- Effects of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance and related physiological outcomes: a systematic review of studies using high methodological standards Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 2025.Used for: high-standards systematic review [Schlie 2025, J Appl Physiol 00223.2025]
- The Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Maximal Strength Performance in Healthy Female Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 2024.Used for: strength MA 2024 [PMC10818650]
- The Effect of Menstrual Cycle and Contraceptives on ACL Injuries and Laxity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2017.Used for: ACL/laxity MA [Herzberg 2017, PMC5524267]
- Effects of the menstrual cycle phase on anterior cruciate ligament neuromuscular and biomechanical injury risk surrogates in eumenorrheic and naturally menstruating women: A systematic review PloS one, 2023.Used for: ACL biomechanics review [Dos'Santos 2023, PLOS One]
- IOC consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S): 2018 update British journal of sports medicine, 2018.Used for: IOC RED-S consensus 2018 [Mountjoy, BJSM]
Critical appraisal
- The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Energy Intake: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Nutrition reviews, 2025.Used for: energy-intake MA [Tucker 2025, Nutrition Reviews]
- ACOG/CDC on hormonal contraception
Bleeding, variability & prediction
- The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: 2018 revisions International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2018.Used for: FIGO 2018 AUB system [Munro et al., Int J Gynecol Obstet, doi:10.1002/ijgo.12666]
- ACOG Committee Opinion 651: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents, Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital SignUsed for: ACOG Committee Opinion 651 (menstruation as a vital sign, 2015 reaff.)
- NHS: PeriodsUsed for: NHS period problems
- cycle-day-1 & spotting convention StatPearls 2024, NBK500020
- Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women American journal of epidemiology, 2012.Used for: Dasharathy BioCycle, Am J Epidemiol 2012, PMC3299419
- Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles NPJ digital medicine, 2019.Used for: big-data variability Bull et al., npj Digital Medicine 2019, PMC6710244
- Menstrual Cycle Length and Patterns in a Global Cohort of Women Using a Mobile Phone App: Retrospective Cohort Study Journal of medical Internet research, 2020.Used for: Grieger & Norman, JMIR 2020
- A predictive model for next cycle start date that accounts for adherence in menstrual self-tracking Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA, 2021.Used for: prediction accuracy Li et al., JAMIA 2022, PMC8714275
- Urteaga et al., PMLR 2021
- A survey of women's experiences of using period tracker applications: Attitudes, ovulation prediction and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours Women's health (London, England), 2022.Used for: user-distress survey [Digit Health 2022, PMC9047811]
- Premenstrual spotting: its association with endometriosis but not luteal phase inadequacy Fertility and sterility, 1980.Used for: premenstrual-spotting/endometriosis [Wentz 1980, Fertil Steril]
- Diagnosis and treatment of luteal phase deficiency: a committee opinion Fertility and sterility, 2021.Used for: LPD no diagnostic standard [ASRM 2021]
- Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods Bioengineering & translational medicine, 2017.Used for: ovulation detection review [PMC5689497, 2017]
- ACOG: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After MenopauseUsed for: ACOG postmenopausal-bleeding guidance 2026
- rhythm-method efficacy [Cleveland Clinic / standard contraceptive literature]
Energy availability & hormonal contraception
- Luteinizing hormone pulsatility is disrupted at a threshold of energy availability in regularly menstruating women The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2003.Used for: LEA→HPG RCT [Loucks & Thuma, JCEM 2003]
- 2023 International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) British journal of sports medicine, 2023.Used for: IOC REDs consensus [Mountjoy et al., BJSM 2023] + 2014/2018
- Are menstrual disturbances associated with an energy availability threshold? A critical review of the evidence Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme, 2024.Used for: REDs-threshold/syndrome critique [Salamunes, Williams & De Souza, Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2024]
- Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2017.Used for: FHA guideline [Gordon et al., JCEM 2017]
- ACOG: Combined Hormonal Birth Control: Pill, Patch, and RingUsed for: CHC withdrawal-bleed physiology [ACOG combined-hormonal-BC FAQ + 2022 menstrual-suppression clinical consensus]
- Perceived impact of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on physical exercise and performance in 1,086 athletes from 57 sports Frontiers in physiology, 2022.Used for: athlete HC prevalence [Oxfeldt et al., Front Physiol 2022, PMC9468598]
- UN DESA Population Division: Contraceptive Use by Method 2019 (data booklet)Used for: global contraceptive use by method [UN DESA Population Division 2019 — pill ~151M]
- The Effect of Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, Power and Strength Adaptations to Resistance Exercise Training: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-analysis Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2024.Used for: OCP & resistance-training adaptations SR/MA [Sports Med 2024, PMC10798924]
Period management methods
- Chemicals in menstrual products: A systematic review BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2024.Used for: chemicals/microplastics: Marroquin et al., BJOG 2024
- Plastic Additives in Single-Use and Reusable Menstrual Products: Potential Implications for Human Health and the Environment Environmental science & technology, 2025.Used for: Cioni et al., Environ Sci Technol 2025
- Safety assessment of commercial sanitary pads: Cytotoxicity, volatile organic compounds, and microplastics release Journal of hazardous materials, 2025.Used for: Germolus et al., J Hazard Mater 2025
- FDA: Menstrual Product Options, Facts, and Safe UseUsed for: FDA tampon safety 2024
- Vostral NBK565591 2020
- Red blood cell capacity of modern menstrual products: considerations for assessing heavy menstrual bleeding BMJ sexual & reproductive health, 2024.Used for: DeLoughery BMJ SRH 2023 [PMC10847380]
- Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis The Lancet. Public health, 2019.Used for: van Eijk menstrual-cup SR, Lancet Public Health 2019 [PMC6669309]
- In Vitro Study to Assess Effective Cleaning Techniques for Removing Staphylococcus aureus from Menstrual Cups International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022.Used for: Marino 2022
- Exploring menstrual products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of reusable menstrual pads for public health internationally PloS one, 2021.Used for: van Eijk reusable-pads SR, PLOS One 2021
- Sanitary pad dermatitis Indian journal of dermatology, 2009.Used for: sanitary-pad dermatitis [PMC2807726, 2009]
- Thinx PFAS settlement [NPR 2023]
- ACS PFAS in menstrual products Wicks & Peaslee, Environ Sci Technol Lett 2025, doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00553
- EWG
- Cleveland Clinic free bleeding 2023
- UN Women / UNICEF / World Bank period-poverty
- A systematic review of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) during humanitarian crises and/or emergencies in low- and middle-income countries Frontiers in public health, 2022.Used for: MHM in crises [PMC9555566, 2022]
- Period Poverty: A Neglected Public Health Issue Korean journal of family medicine, 2023.Used for: period poverty as public-health issue [PMC10372806, 2023]
Contraception education
- Lifetime cancer risk and combined oral contraceptives: the Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2017.Used for: : Iversen et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017
- Mortality among contraceptive pill users: cohort evidence from Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 2010.Used for: Hannaford et al., BMJ 2010
- Return of fertility after discontinuation of contraception: a systematic review and meta-analysis Contraception and reproductive medicine, 2018.Used for: Girum & Wasie, Contracept Reprod Med 2018
- Association of Hormonal Contraception With Depression JAMA psychiatry, 2016.Used for: Skovlund et al., JAMA Psychiatry 2016
- Blood copper levels in Mexican users of the T380A IUD Contraception, 2005.Used for: De la Cruz et al., Contraception 2005
- CDC: Contraception (effectiveness of methods)Used for: CDC contraception effectiveness 2023 (Contraceptive Technology 22nd ed.)
- CDC US MEC 2024 (MMWR RR7304a1)
- CDC: U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use, 2024Used for: CDC US SPR / Contraception 2024
- Guttmacher Institute: Contraceptive Effectiveness in the United StatesUsed for: Guttmacher contraceptive effectiveness 2024
- Contraceptive failure in the United States Contraception, 2011.Used for: Trussell 2011 [PMC3638209]
- FSRH Guideline: Progestogen-only Pills (2022, amended 2023)Used for: FSRH guidelines (POP 2022, Implants 2021, IUC 2023)
- DailyMed: Depo-Provera CI prescribing informationUsed for: FDA Depo-Provera label
- Return to fertility after subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: a narrative review BMJ sexual & reproductive health, 2025.Used for: DMPA return-to-fertility [PMC12703348]
- Risk of Stroke Associated With Use of Estrogen Containing Contraceptives in Women With Migraine: A Systematic Review Headache, 2018.Used for: Sheikh 2018 CHC+migraine-aura Headache
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 186: Long-Acting Reversible ContraceptionUsed for: ACOG LARC 2017 & FABM 2019
- Cochrane (copper-IUD bleeding
- FABMs 2018)
- American Urological Association: Vasectomy GuidelineUsed for: AUA vasectomy guideline
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 152: Emergency ContraceptionUsed for: ACOG PB 152 EC 2015 (reaff.)
- CADTH ulipristal-vs-levonorgestrel 2019 [NBK538737]
- Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Emergency contraception (2023)Used for: Society of Family Planning EC 2023
- KFF EC 2023
- Cleveland Clinic withdrawal bleeding
- Co-administration of St. John's wort and hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review Contraception, 2016.Used for: efficacy-reducers: St John's Wort [Berry-Bibee 2016]
- CDC: U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2024Used for: enzyme-inducers CDC US MEC 2024
- FSRH Guideline: Progestogen-only Pills (2022, amended 2023)Used for: FSRH 2022
- Oral contraceptive efficacy and antibiotic interaction: a myth debunked Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2002.Used for: rifamycins [Archer 2002]
- Drug interactions between hormonal contraceptives and antiretrovirals AIDS (London, England), 2017.Used for: efavirenz/modafinil Nanda 2017, PMC5378006
- NBK531476
- Increased need for thyroxine in women with hypothyroidism during estrogen therapy The New England journal of medicine, 2001.Used for: thyroid medication: Arafah 2001
- Effects of oral contraceptives on thyroid function and vice versa Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2020.Used for: Torre 2020
- DailyMed: Synthroid (levothyroxine) prescribing informationUsed for: FDA levothyroxine label (Synthroid)
- Effect of body weight and BMI on the efficacy of levonorgestrel emergency contraception Contraception, 2015.Used for: EC-weight (mixed evidence): Kapp 2015
- Ulipristal acetate versus levonorgestrel for emergency contraception: a randomised non-inferiority trial and meta-analysis Lancet (London, England), 2010.Used for: Glasier 2010
- Emergency contraception for individuals weighing 80 kg or greater: A randomized trial of 30 mg ulipristal acetate and 1.5 mg or 3.0 mg levonorgestrel Contraception, 2024.Used for: Edelman 2024
- European Medicines Agency: Combined hormonal contraceptives referral (2014)Used for: EMA CHMP 2014
Conditions awareness
- Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process Lancet (London, England), 2026.Used for: PMOS rename: Teede et al., Lancet 2026
- ACOG: Ovarian CystsUsed for: ACOG ovarian cysts FAQ
- NHS: Ovarian cystUsed for: NHS ovarian cyst
- ESHRE: Endometriosis guideline (2022)Used for: ESHRE endometriosis guideline 2022
- WHO: Endometriosis fact sheetUsed for: WHO endometriosis fact sheet 2023
- NHS: Heavy periodsUsed for: NHS periods/heavy-periods 2023
- NICE NG88: Heavy menstrual bleeding, assessment and managementUsed for: NICE NG88 heavy menstrual bleeding 2021
- Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2023.Used for: International Evidence-Based PCOS Guideline 2023 [Teede et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab]
- ACOG: Dysmenorrhea, Painful PeriodsUsed for: ACOG FAQs (dysmenorrhea/endometriosis, fibroids, PMS/PMDD) 2021–2022
Cycle across life stages
- ACOG Committee Opinion 651: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents, Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital SignUsed for: ACOG Committee Opinion 651 (menstruation as a vital sign, 2015)
- ACOG: Perimenopausal Bleeding and Bleeding After MenopauseUsed for: ACOG perimenopausal/postmenopausal bleeding 2023
- NICE NG23: Menopause, identification and managementUsed for: NICE NG23 menopause (updated 2024)
- Executive summary of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10: addressing the unfinished agenda of staging reproductive aging The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2012.Used for: STRAW+10 [Harlow et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012]
- The Menopause Society: Position statementsUsed for: The Menopause Society (NAMS) 2022
- Obtaining a follow-up appointment before discharge protects against readmission for patients with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure: A quality improvement project International journal of cardiology, 2018.Used for: FIGO AUB 2018 [Munro et al.]
- StatPearls postpartum changes 2023 [NBK555904]
- WHO lactational amenorrhea / postpartum family planning 2023
Energy availability, body composition & the cycle
- 2023 International Olympic Committee's (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) British journal of sports medicine, 2023.Used for: IOC RED-S consensus [Mountjoy 2023, BJSM, doi:10.1136/bjsports-2023-106994]
- Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2017.Used for: Endocrine Society FHA [Gordon 2017]
- Recombinant human leptin in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea The New England journal of medicine, 2004.Used for: leptin causal Welt 2004
- Leptin is an effective treatment for hypothalamic amenorrhea Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011.Used for: Chou 2011
- Luteinizing hormone pulsatility is disrupted at a threshold of energy availability in regularly menstruating women The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2003.Used for: energy-availability threshold experiment [Loucks & Thuma 2003] + review [Loucks 2003] + no-fixed-threshold [Lieberman/De Souza/Williams 2018, doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000001451]
- Energy availability, not body fatness, regulates reproductive function in women Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 2003.Used for: PMID 12882481
- Critical fat, menarche, and the maintenance of menstrual cycles: a critical review Journal of adolescent health care : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1982.Used for: Frisch critique [Scott & Johnston]
- Obesity as disruptor of the female fertility Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2018.Used for: obesity & anovulation [Silvestris 2018]
- Influence of obesity on timing of puberty International journal of andrology, 2006.Used for: adiposity & menarche Biro 2006
- Critical body fat percentage required for puberty onset: the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2023.Used for: Taiwan PLS 2022
- Estrogens in Adipose Tissue Physiology and Obesity-Related Dysfunction Biomedicines, 2023.Used for: adipose aromatase PMC10045924 2023
- Increased Adipose Tissue Indices of Androgen Catabolism and Aromatization in Women With Metabolic Dysfunction The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2022.Used for: PMC9282357 2022 — support the aromatase step only, NOT SHBG / systemic-estrogen / bleeding claims
- The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding (Munro 2018)Used for: AUB-O / endometrial risk FIGO 2018
- Understanding obesity and endometrial cancer risk: opportunities for prevention American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2011.Used for: PMC4264838, 2011
- Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2023.Used for: PCOS 2023 guideline [Teede]
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 152: Emergency ContraceptionUsed for: EC & weight ACOG
- FSRH Guideline: Emergency Contraception (2017, amended 2023)Used for: FSRH EC 2017/2023
- Society of Family Planning Clinical Recommendation: Emergency contraception Contraception, 2023.Used for: SFP 2023, Contraception 121:109958
Mental health across the cycle
- Premenstrual exacerbation of mental health disorders: a systematic review of prospective studies Archives of women's mental health, 2022.Used for: Nolan & Hughes, Arch Womens Ment Health 2022 [SR of 35 prospective studies]
- Understanding premenstrual exacerbation: navigating the intersection of the menstrual cycle and psychiatric illnesses Frontiers in psychiatry, 2024.Used for: Lin 2024 [PMC11338788]
- Premenstrual Exacerbations of Mood Disorders: Findings and Knowledge Gaps (Kuehner & Nayman 2021)Used for: Kuehner & Nayman, Curr Psychiatry Rep 2021
- Cyclical exacerbation of suicidal ideation in female outpatients: Prospective evidence from daily ratings in a transdiagnostic sample Journal of psychopathology and clinical science, 2023.Used for: Owens 2023 [PMC10977346]
- Suicide Risk and the Menstrual Cycle: a Review of Candidate RDoC Mechanisms Current psychiatry reports, 2018.Used for: Eisenlohr-Moul review [PMC6844188, 2018]
- 5α-Reductase inhibition prevents the luteal phase increase in plasma allopregnanolone and mitigates symptoms in PMDD (Martinez 2016)Used for: Martinez 2016 (allopregnanolone)
Why your cycle changed this month
- Stress and the reproductive axis Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2014.Used for: Toufexis 2014, J Neuroendocrinol
- The relationship between psychological stress and ovulatory disorders and its molecular mechanisms: a narrative review Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology, 2024.Used for: stress/ovulatory review 2024 [doi:10.1080/0167482X.2024.2418110]
- Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age Reproductive biomedicine online, 2021.Used for: COVID-illness cycle changes [Li K et al. 2021, Reprod Biomed Online]
- Association Between Menstrual Cycle Length and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination: A U.S. Cohort Obstetrics and gynecology, 2022.Used for: COVID-vaccination cycle length Edelman 2022, (US) + (global)
- Association between menstrual cycle length and covid-19 vaccination: global, retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data BMJ medicine, 2022.Used for: PMID 36381261
- Covid-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle length in the Apple Women's Health Study NPJ digital medicine, 2022.Used for: Gibson/Apple 2022
- Shift work and menstruation: A meta-analysis study SSM - population health, 2023.Used for: shift-work MA [Hu et al. 2023]
- Rotating shift work and menstrual cycle characteristics Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), 2011.Used for: Lawson 2011 NHS II
- Menstrual disturbances and its association with sleep disturbances: a systematic review BMC women's health, 2023.Used for: Jeon et al. 2023 sleep SR
- Role of core circadian clock genes in hormone release and target tissue sensitivity in the reproductive axis Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 2020.Used for: Sen & Hoffmann 2020 circadian/HPG
- StatPearls antipsychotic hyperprolactinemia [NBK537331]
- How I treat heavy menstrual bleeding associated with anticoagulants Blood, 2017.Used for: Boonyawat & O'Brien 2017, Blood
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy menstrual bleeding The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2019.Used for: Bofill Rodriguez 2019 Cochrane
- Unraveling the Cycle: A Scoping Review Exploring the Impact of Antidepressants on the Female Reproductive Cycle Cureus, 2025.Used for: SSRI scoping review [PMC12718095]
- Thyroid function and human reproductive health Endocrine reviews, 2010.Used for: Krassas 2010
- The Thyroid Hormone Axis and Female Reproduction International journal of molecular sciences, 2023.Used for: thyroid review 2023 [doi:10.3390/ijms24129815]
- NHS: Irregular periodsUsed for: NHS 2023
- ACOG Committee Opinion 651: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents, Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital SignUsed for: ACOG CO 651 2015
- A meta-analysis of polycystic ovary syndrome in women taking valproate for epilepsy Epilepsy research, 2011.Used for: Medications/substances: valproate Hu 2011
- Polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism in women taking valproate for epilepsy The New England journal of medicine, 1993.Used for: Isojärvi 1993
- Sodium valproate, hyperandrogenism and altered ovarian function in Indian women with epilepsy: a prospective study Epilepsia, 2007.Used for: Prabhakar 2007
- opioids [StatPearls NBK559211]
- Menstrual Cycle in Women Who Co-use Marijuana and Tobacco Journal of addiction medicine, 2018.Used for: cannabis [Lammert 2018]
- Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Pain with Elagolix, an Oral GnRH Antagonist The New England journal of medicine, 2017.Used for: GnRH analogues [Taylor 2017]
- Cancer Treatment-Related Ovarian Dysfunction in Women of Childbearing Potential: Management and Fertility Preservation Options Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2023.Used for: chemo/POI [Reynolds 2023 JCO]
- Luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome increased by inactive disease and selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors in women with inflammatory arthropathies Arthritis care & research, 2011.Used for: NSAID/LUFS [Micu 2011]
- Drug interactions between rifamycin antibiotics and hormonal contraception: a systematic review BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2018.Used for: Debunks/vaccine-generalization: antibiotics/rifamycin [Simmons 2018]
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency and Adolescent Vaccination Pediatrics, 2018.Used for: HPV≠POI Naleway 2018
- Risk of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency after Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination: A PRISMA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence Vaccines, 2023.Used for: Torella 2023
- Menstrual Cycle Length Changes Following Vaccination Against Influenza Alone or With COVID-19 JAMA network open, 2025.Used for: flu-vaccine blip [Boniface/Edelman 2025]
The sex/gender gap in medical research
- FDA 1977 (Embryo Project)
- NIH Revitalization Act 1993 [NBK236531]
- GAO 2001 [GAO-01-286R]
- FDA zolpidem DSC 2013
- Sex differences in pharmacokinetics predict adverse drug reactions in women Biology of sex differences, 2020.Used for: Zucker & Prendergast 2020 [doi:10.1186/s13293-020-00308-5]
- Evaluating sex as a biological variable in preclinical research: the devil in the details Biology of sex differences, 2016.Used for: Tannenbaum 2016 SABV + NIH ORWH SABV policy 2016
- The girl who cried pain: a bias against women in the treatment of pain The Journal of law, medicine & ethics : a journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 2001.Used for: Hoffmann & Tarzian 2001
Conditions that fluctuate with the cycle
- Three patterns of catamenial epilepsy Epilepsia, 1997.Used for: Herzog 1997 + catamenial review [PMC3469236]
- Menstrual migraine is caused by estrogen withdrawal: revisiting the evidence The journal of headache and pain, 2023.Used for: Raffaelli et al. 2023 menstrual migraine [PMC10512516]
- Perimenstrual Asthma in Adolescents: A Shared Condition in Pediatric and Gynecological Endocrinology Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2022.Used for: Calcaterra et al. 2022 perimenstrual asthma [PMC8870409]
- The relationship between heavy menstrual bleeding, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2023.Used for: HMB/iron-deficiency [Munro 2023, Am J Obstet Gynecol]
Vaginal health & the microbiome
- NHS: Vaginal dischargeUsed for: NHS vaginal discharge 2023
- CDC: Bacterial Vaginosis, STI Treatment Guidelines 2021Used for: CDC BV 2024 + STI Treatment Guidelines 2021
- ACOG Practice Bulletin 215: Vaginitis in Nonpregnant PatientsUsed for: ACOG PB 215 Vaginitis 2020 + Vulvovaginal Health FAQ
- Douching in relation to bacterial vaginosis, lactobacilli, and facultative bacteria in the vagina Obstetrics and gynecology, 2002.Used for: Ness 2002 douching/BV
- Vaginal microbiome of reproductive-age women Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011.Used for: microbiome: Ravel 2011
- Vaginal pH and microbicidal lactic acid when lactobacilli dominate the microbiota PloS one, 2013.Used for: O'Hanlon 2013
- Temporal dynamics of the human vaginal microbiota Science translational medicine, 2012.Used for: Gajer 2012
- High recurrence rates of bacterial vaginosis over the course of 12 months after oral metronidazole therapy and factors associated with recurrence The Journal of infectious diseases, 2006.Used for: Bradshaw 2006 BV recurrence
- Probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2009.Used for: Cochrane probiotics [Senok 2009]
- Clinicians' Use of Intravaginal Boric Acid Maintenance Therapy for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Bacterial Vaginosis Sexually transmitted diseases, 2019.Used for: boric acid Powell 2019
- Boric acid for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: the clinical evidence Journal of women's health (2002), 2011.Used for: Iavazzo 2011
The gut & the cycle
- Symptomatology of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease during the menstrual cycle Gastroenterology report, 2015.Used for: Bharadwaj et al., Gastroenterol Rep 2015
- Gastrointestinal symptoms before and during menses in healthy women BMC women's health, 2014.Used for: Bernstein et al., BMC Womens Health 2014
Trans, nonbinary & gender-diverse bodies
- Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 International journal of transgender health, 2022.Used for: WPATH SOC8 2022
- Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2017.Used for: Hembree/Endocrine Society 2017 [doi:10.1210/jc.2017-01658]
- One-third of amenorrheic transmasculine people on testosterone ovulate Cell reports. Medicine, 2024.Used for: Asseler 2024 ovulation-on-T
- Transgender men who experienced pregnancy after female-to-male gender transitioning Obstetrics and gynecology, 2014.Used for: Light 2014
- Breakthrough Bleeding in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents and Young Adults on Long-Term Testosterone Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, 2021.Used for: Grimstad 2021/2024 breakthrough bleeding
- Incidence of breakthrough bleeding in transgender and gender-diverse individuals on long-term testosterone American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2024.Used for: PMID 38181830
Sex & the cycle
- Hormonal predictors of sexual motivation in natural menstrual cycles Hormones and behavior, 2013.Used for: Roney & Simmons 2013
- Increasing women's sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens Hormones and behavior, 2016.Used for: Cappelletti & Wallen 2016
- ACOG: When Sex Is PainfulUsed for: ACOG dyspareunia
- Dyspareunia in Women American family physician, 2021.Used for: Hill & Taylor 2021 Am Fam Physician
- Period-sex pregnancy/STI points are clinical consensus (ACOG/CDC), not a single indexed trial
Your data & privacy
- 404 Media: A Texas cop searched license plate cameras nationwide for a woman who got an abortion (2025) + 404 Media: court records show police considered charging herUsed for: 404 Media Flock abortion search 2025
- EFF: She got an abortion. So a Texas cop used 83,000 cameras to track her down (2025)Used for: EFF Flock abortion search 2025
- Supreme Court of the United States: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), opinionUsed for: Dobbs v. Jackson 2022
- EFF: Should You Really Delete Your Period Tracking App? (2022)Used for: EFF "Should You Really Delete Your Period Tracking App?" 2022
- CBS News Nebraska 2022
- FTC: Flo Health, Inc. (case 192-3133)Used for: FTC In re Flo Health 2021
- FTC: Health Breach Notification RuleUsed for: FTC Health Breach Notification Rule 2024
- WA MHMDA RCW 19.373 (2023)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), EUR-LexUsed for: GDPR (EU) 2016/679 Arts. 5, 9
Hormone disruptors
- EDC-2: The Endocrine Society's Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Endocrine reviews, 2015.Used for: PMID 26544531
- Executive Summary to EDC-2: The Endocrine Society's Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Endocrine reviews, 2015.Used for: PMID 26414233
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement Endocrine reviews, 2009.Used for: PMID 19502515
- Effects and Mechanisms of Phthalates' Action on Reproductive Processes and Reproductive Health: A Literature Review International journal of environmental research and public health, 2020.Used for: PMID 32961939
- Consensus on the key characteristics of endocrine-disrupting chemicals as a basis for hazard identification Nature reviews. Endocrinology, 2020.Used for: PMID 31719706
- Urinary Concentrations of Phthalate Metabolites and Bisphenol A and Associations with Follicular-Phase Length, Luteal-Phase Length, Fecundability, and Early Pregnancy Loss Environmental health perspectives, 2016.Used for: PMID 26161573
- Endocrine disrupting chemical Bisphenol A and its potential effects on female health Diabetes & metabolic syndrome, 2021.Used for: PMID 33839640
- Association between paraben exposure and menstrual cycle in female university students in Japan Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 2016.Used for: PMID 27189314
- Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their effects on the ovary Human reproduction update, 2020.Used for: PMID 32476019
- Correlates of plasma concentrations of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances among reproductive-aged Black women Environmental research, 2022.Used for: PMID 34403666
- PFAS and Phthalate/DINCH Exposure in Association with Age at Menarche in Teenagers of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies Toxics, 2023.Used for: PMID 37624216
- Tampons as a source of exposure to metal(loid)s Environment international, 2024.Used for: PMID 38963987
- Communicating risk in the face of data gaps: Toxic metals in tampons Environment international, 2024.Used for: PMID 39571297
- Chemicals in menstrual products: A systematic review BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2024.Used for: PMID 37743685
- Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 2015.Used for: PMID 25522674
- Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis The Lancet. Public health, 2019.Used for: PMID 31324419
- Safety assessment scheme for menstrual cups and application for the evaluation of a menstrual cup comprised of medical grade silicone EBioMedicine, 2022.Used for: PMID 36370636
- FDA: Menstrual Tampons and Pads, Information for Premarket Notification Submissions (510(k)s)Used for: Named/regulatory (not PubMed): FDA 510(k) tampon guidance
- WHO/UNEP: State of the science of endocrine disrupting chemicals 2012Used for: WHO/UNEP 2012 report
- EFSA: Re-evaluation of the risks to public health related to bisphenol A (2023)Used for: EFSA 2023 BPA opinion
- ACOG/Endocrine Society/AAFP non-recognition of "estrogen dominance
PMS/PMDD terminology & framing
- Addressing concerns about the inclusion of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in DSM-5 The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 2014.Used for: PMID 24345853
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A controversial new diagnosis Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2022.Used for: PMID 35451057
- Perimenstrual symptoms among Chinese women in an urban area of China Health care for women international, 1996.Used for: PMID 8852218
- Are there temporal subtypes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?: using group-based trajectory modeling to identify individual differences in symptom change Psychological medicine, 2020.Used for: PMID 31010447
- The social construction of premenstrual syndrome Social science & medicine (1982), 1992.Used for: PMID 1496412
- A culturally sensitive study of premenstrual and menstrual symptoms among Chinese women Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology, 2009.Used for: PMID 19533490
- ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline 7: Management of Premenstrual Disorders (2023) + RCOG Green-top Guideline 48: Premenstrual Syndrome, Management (2017)Used for: Guideline usage: ACOG CPG No. 7 (2023), RCOG Green-top 48 (2017), NHS, ICD-11 (named sources)
Within-person symptom continuity
- Diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome by a simple, prospective, and reliable instrument: the calendar of premenstrual experiences Obstetrics and gynecology, 1990.Used for: PMID 2371035
- Premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: symptom trajectories over 13 years in young adults Maturitas, 2014.Used for: PMID 24750643
- Daily symptom ratings for studying premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A review Journal of affective disorders, 2016.Used for: PMID 26406968
- The Influence of Depression on Biased Diagnosis of Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder by the PSST Inventory Life (Basel, Switzerland), 2021.Used for: PMID 34833154
- Timing and severity of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle in a community-based sample in the Midwestern United States Psychiatry research, 2005.Used for: PMID 15808287
- Criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: secondary analyses of relevant data sets Archives of general psychiatry, 2012.Used for: PMID 22393222
- Rapid response to fluoxetine in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Depression and anxiety, 2012.Used for: PMID 22565858
- Menstrual cycle related depressive symptoms and their diurnal fluctuations - an ambulatory assessment study BMC women's health, 2024.Used for: PMID 39551735
- The role of purity and frequency in the classification of perimenstrual headache BMC neurology, 2023.Used for: PMID 37280531
- Perimenstrual symptoms: time course of symptom intensity in relation to endocrinologically defined segments of the menstrual cycle Psychosomatic medicine, 1989.Used for: PMID 2710910
- Characterizing physiological and symptomatic variation in menstrual cycles using self-tracked mobile-health data NPJ digital medicine, 2020.Used for: PMID 32509976
- Are there temporal subtypes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?: using group-based trajectory modeling to identify individual differences in symptom change Psychological medicine, 2020.Used for: PMID 31010447
- Using natural spline models to explore the trajectories of empirically derived domains of premenstrual symptoms Psychological assessment, 2025.Used for: PMID 39786845
- Toward the Reliable Diagnosis of DSM-5 Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: The Carolina Premenstrual Assessment Scoring System (C-PASS) The American journal of psychiatry, 2017.Used for: PMID 27523500
- Headache, menstruation and combined oral contraceptives: a diary study in 184 women with migraine European journal of pain (London, England), 2011.Used for: PMID 21402485
- Between and within-woman differences in the association between menstruation and migraine days Headache, 2021.Used for: PMID 33605450
- A longitudinal study of risk factors for the occurrence, duration and severity of menstrual cramps in a cohort of college women British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 1996.Used for: PMID 8917003
- Fluid Retention over the Menstrual Cycle: 1-Year Data from the Prospective Ovulation Cohort Obstetrics and gynecology international, 2011.Used for: PMID 21845193
- Breast tenderness and swelling experiences related to menstrual cycles and ovulation in healthy premenopausal women: Secondary analysis of the 1-year "Prospective Ovulation Cohort" PloS one, 2025.Used for: PMID 40354418
- One woman's low is another woman's high: Paradoxical effects of the menstrual cycle Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2011.Used for: PMID 20650571
- Individual differences in self-reported difficulty sleeping across the menstrual cycle Archives of women's mental health, 2016.Used for: PMID 26973332
- Mid-cycle headaches and their relationship to different patterns of premenstrual stress symptoms Headache, 2013.Used for: PMID 23521540
- Day-to-day co-variations of psychological and physical symptoms of the menstrual cycle: insights to individual differences in steroid reactivity Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2010.Used for: PMID 19729249
- The prevalence and risk factors of dysmenorrhea Epidemiologic reviews, 2014.Used for: PMID 24284871
- Core symptoms that discriminate premenstrual syndrome Journal of women's health (2002), 2011.Used for: PMID 21128818
The perimenstrual window & the forecasting gate
- Criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: secondary analyses of relevant data sets Archives of general psychiatry, 2012.Used for: PMID 22393222
- Timing and severity of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle in a community-based sample in the Midwestern United States Psychiatry research, 2005.Used for: PMID 15808287
- Mood and the menstrual cycle Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 2013.Used for: PMID 23147261
- Tracking mood symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women with depression using ecological momentary assessment and heart rate variability BMJ mental health, 2025.Used for: PMID 40555545
- Incidence of migraine relative to menstrual cycle phases of rising and falling estrogen Neurology, 2006.Used for: PMID 16971700
- Prospective analysis of factors related to migraine attacks: the PAMINA study Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, 2007.Used for: PMID 17376107
- Validation of diagnostic ICHD-3 criteria for menstrual migraine Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, 2022.Used for: PMID 35514214
- Mood, sexuality, hormones and the menstrual cycle. I. Changes in mood and physical state: description of subjects and method Psychosomatic medicine, 1983.Used for: PMID 6686332
- The role of ovarian steroid hormones in mood Hormones and behavior, 2012.Used for: PMID 22902271
- Social pathways to premenstrual symptoms Research in nursing & health, 1995.Used for: PMID 7754093
- Predicting Acute Changes in Suicidal Ideation and Planning: A Longitudinal Study of Symptom Mediators and the Role of the Menstrual Cycle in Female Psychiatric Outpatients With Suicidality The American journal of psychiatry, 2024.Used for: PMID 38093647
- Towards a consensus on diagnostic criteria, measurement and trial design of the premenstrual disorders: the ISPMD Montreal consensus Archives of women's mental health, 2011.Used for: PMID 21225438
- Management of Premenstrual Disorders: ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 7 Obstetrics and gynecology, 2023.Used for: PMID 37973069
- Mood and the menstrual cycle: a review of prospective data studies Gender medicine, 2012.Used for: PMID 23036262
- Between and within-woman differences in the association between menstruation and migraine days Headache, 2021.Used for: PMID 33605450
- A predictive model for next cycle start date that accounts for adherence in menstrual self-tracking Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA, 2021.Used for: PMID 34534312
- One woman's low is another woman's high: Paradoxical effects of the menstrual cycle Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2011.Used for: PMID 20650571
- Individual differences in self-reported difficulty sleeping across the menstrual cycle Archives of women's mental health, 2016.Used for: PMID 26973332
- Menstrual cycle-driven vs noncyclical daily changes in sexual desire The journal of sexual medicine, 2023.Used for: PMID 37037659
- Are there temporal subtypes of premenstrual dysphoric disorder?: using group-based trajectory modeling to identify individual differences in symptom change Psychological medicine, 2020.Used for: PMID 31010447
- Chinese version of Daily Record of Severity of Problems: reliability and validity Journal of advanced nursing, 2013.Used for: PMID 22737971
- Diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome by a simple, prospective, and reliable instrument: the calendar of premenstrual experiences Obstetrics and gynecology, 1990.Used for: PMID 2371035
- Premenstrual symptoms: a reinterpretation Science (New York, N.Y.), 1977.Used for: PMID 560058
- Menstrual cycle symptomatology: the role of social expectancy and experimental demand characteristics Psychosomatic medicine, 1985.Used for: PMID 3975326
- Assessment of menstrual health status and evolution through mobile apps for fertility awareness NPJ digital medicine, 2019.Used for: PMID 31341953
- How to study the menstrual cycle: Practical tools and recommendations Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2021.Used for: PMID 33113391
- Using natural spline models to explore the trajectories of empirically derived domains of premenstrual symptoms Psychological assessment, 2025.Used for: PMID 39786845
- Mobile Phone-Based Unobtrusive Ecological Momentary Assessment of Day-to-Day Mood: An Explorative Study Journal of medical Internet research, 2016.Used for: PMID 27025287
- Regression to the mean: what it is and how to deal with it International journal of epidemiology, 2005.Used for: PMID 15333621
The moon and the menstrual cycle
- Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles NPJ digital medicine, 2019.Used for: Bull et al., npj Digit Med 2019
- The Relationship between the Lunar Phase, Menstrual Cycle Onset and Subjective Sleep Quality among Women of Reproductive Age International journal of environmental research and public health, 2021.Used for: Komada et al., Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021
- Do lunar phases influence menstruation? A year-long retrospective study Endocrine regulations, 2013.Used for: Ilias et al., Endocr Regul 2013
- The menstrual cycle is influenced by weekly and lunar rhythms Fertility and sterility, 2024.Used for: Ecochard et al., Fertil Steril 2024
- Evidence that the woman's ovarian cycle is driven by an internal circamonthly timing system Science advances, 2024.Used for: Ecochard et al., Sci Adv 2024
- Women temporarily synchronize their menstrual cycles with the luminance and gravimetric cycles of the Moon Science advances, 2021.Used for: Helfrich-Förster et al., Sci Adv 2021
- Synchronization of women's menstruation with the Moon has decreased but remains detectable when gravitational pull is strong Science advances, 2025.Used for: Helfrich-Förster et al., Sci Adv 2025
What happens during a period
- Physiology of the Endometrium and Regulation of Menstruation Physiological reviews, 2020.Used for: Critchley et al., Physiol Rev 2020
- Menstrual physiology: implications for endometrial pathology and beyond Human reproduction update, 2015.Used for: Maybin & Critchley, Hum Reprod Update 2015
- Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health Nature reviews. Endocrinology, 2022.Used for: Jain et al., Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022
- Hypoxia and hypoxia inducible factor-1α are required for normal endometrial repair during menstruation Nature communications, 2018.Used for: Maybin et al., Nat Commun 2018
- Markers of human endometrial hypoxia can be detected in vivo and ex vivo during physiological menstruation Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 2021.Used for: Reavey et al., Hum Reprod 2021
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for dysmenorrhoea The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2015.Used for: Marjoribanks et al., Cochrane 2015
- Consumption of fibrinolytic proteins in menstrual fluid from women with normal menstrual blood loss Journal of clinical pathology, 1984.Used for: Cederholm-Williams et al., J Clin Pathol 1984
- Coagulation factors and fibrinolytic proteins in menstrual fluid collected from normal and menorrhagic women British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 1985.Used for: Rees et al., Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1985
- Menorrhagia I: measured blood loss, clinical features, and outcome in women with heavy periods: a survey with follow-up data American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2004.Used for: Warner et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004
- Association between Patients' Self-Judgement, Coagulated Menstrual Blood, and Menorrhagia: Results from a Questionnaire Survey and Blood Test Analysis Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 2023.Used for: Lee et al., Medicina 2023
- A systematic review of methods to measure menstrual blood loss BMC women's health, 2018.Used for: Magnay et al., BMC Womens Health 2018
- Quantitative measurements of menstrual blood loss in ovulatory and anovulatory cycles in middle- and late-reproductive age and the menopausal transition Obstetrics and gynecology, 2010.Used for: Hale et al., Obstet Gynecol 2010
- Menstrual blood loss and iron nutrition in Filipino women The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health, 1991.Used for: Cheong et al., Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1991
- Blood and total fluid content of menstrual discharge Obstetrics and gynecology, 1985.Used for: Fraser et al., Obstet Gynecol 1985
- Estimating menstrual blood loss in women with normal and excessive menstrual fluid volume Obstetrics and gynecology, 2001.Used for: Fraser et al., Obstet Gynecol 2001
- Ibuprofen prevents IUCD-induced increases in menstrual blood loss British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 1986.Used for: Mäkäräinen & Ylikorkala, Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1986
- Endometrial effects of intrauterine levonorgestrel Contraception, 2007.Used for: Guttinger & Critchley, Contraception 2007
- Iatrogenic unscheduled (breakthrough) endometrial bleeding Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders, 2012.Used for: Hickey & Fraser, Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2012
- Continuous or extended cycle vs. cyclic use of combined hormonal contraceptives for contraception The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2014.Used for: Edelman et al., Cochrane 2014
- Continuous combination oral contraceptive pills to eliminate withdrawal bleeding: a randomized trial Obstetrics and gynecology, 2003.Used for: Miller & Hughes, Obstet Gynecol 2003
- ACOG FAQ193 Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
- ACOG FAQ LARC
- FSRH CHC and POP guidelines
- NHS Heavy periods
- NICE NG88: Heavy menstrual bleeding, assessment and managementUsed for: NICE NG88
Period pain
- Worldwide prevalence of dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis across 70 countries Pain, 2026.Used for: de Arruda et al., Pain 2026
- The prevalence and risk factors of dysmenorrhea Epidemiologic reviews, 2014.Used for: Ju et al., Epidemiol Rev 2014
- The impact of menstrual symptoms on everyday life: a survey among 42,879 women American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2019.Used for: Schoep et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019
- A longitudinal study of risk factors for the occurrence, duration and severity of menstrual cramps in a cohort of college women British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 1996.Used for: Harlow & Park, Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1996
- Dysmenorrhea and psychological distress: a meta-analysis Archives of women's mental health, 2023.Used for: Rogers et al., Arch Womens Ment Health 2023
- What we know about primary dysmenorrhea today: a critical review Human reproduction update, 2015.Used for: Iacovides et al., Hum Reprod Update 2015
- Reduced quality of life when experiencing menstrual pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2014.Used for: Iacovides et al., Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2014
- ACOG: Dysmenorrhea, Painful PeriodsUsed for: ACOG FAQs (dysmenorrhea)
- NHS: Period painUsed for: NHS period pain
Menstrual stigma and talking about it
- The Menstrual Mark: Menstruation as Social Stigma 2020.Used for: Johnston-Robledo & Chrisler, Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies 2020
- The impact of menstrual symptoms on everyday life: a survey among 42,879 women American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2019.Used for: Schoep et al., Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019
- Keep period pain a secret? Expanding the theory of planned behavior with endometriosis knowledge and menstrual stigma to explain women's intentions to talk about menstrual discomfort Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2025.Used for: Eitze & Reinhardt, Health Psychol 2025
- Factors contributing to the delayed diagnosis of endometriosis-a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in medicine, 2025.Used for: Li et al., Front Med 2025