Misha Nasarpuri

The Impact of Hormonal Fluctuations on Brain Structure and Function in Women Across Reproductive Stages

Started Jan. 12, 2024

Abstract or project description

Throughout a woman's life cycle, she undergoes hormonal changes due to biological aging and reproductive stages. The hormonal fluctuations accompanying the biological complexities during reproductive stages also alter brain size. In this review article, the differences women experience with their bodies will be discussed to understand further how it affects their brains. For example, during menses, it is noted that the brain volume of gray matter goes down from menses to the mid-luteal phase. In contrast, central spinal fluid volume increases simultaneously, indicating solid matter fluctuations in the brain during the different weeks of the menses cycle. Furthermore, during pregnancy, the ventricles in the female's brain increase during the term and decrease later. At the same time, the overall brain size does the opposite. Lastly, during menopause, women's brain size decreases extremely, not only because of age but also because of a loss in sex hormones. By understanding what is happening during these reproductive stages, it could influence the way doctors advise women in the future, and change the clinical portion of how we look at these cycles.