Scientists discover brain changes linked to menstrual cycle hormones

A recent study by researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara has revealed that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle cause structural changes in the brain. This research tracked 30 women and documented brain alterations across different menstrual phases. The study found that fluctuations in hormones like estrogen and progesterone affect both gray and white matter volumes in the brain. Notably, changes in white matter were linked to faster information transfer, while other hormones influenced gray matter thickness and cerebrospinal fluid volume. These findings provide new insights into how menstrual cycles impact brain structure, laying the groundwork for future research on hormone-related mental health issues. The study was published in the journal Human Brain Mapping.