Society for Menstrual Cycle Research

Society for Menstrual Cycle Research The Society for Menstrual Cycle Research is a nonprofit, interdisciplinary research organization com

The Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1979 by a multidisciplinary group of women who were pioneers in understanding the centrality of menstrual cycle research to women’s health. We are an interdisciplinary group of researchers, health care providers, policy makers, and students who share an interest in women’s lives and health needs as they are related

to the menstrual cycle. We sponsor a biennial conference, a newsletter, the journal Women’s Reproductive Health, and the blog Re:Cycling. Our mission is to be the source of guidance, expertise, and ethical considerations for researchers, practitioners, policy makers and funding resources interested in the menstrual cycle. We offer a network of communication and support that spans discipline, professional responsibilities, and geography to provide woman-centered perspectives on menstrual experiences. Membership is open to individuals who have an interest in research on the menstrual cycle or related issues, and who support the purposes of the Society:

-to identify research priorities, to recommend research strategies, and to promote interdisciplinary woman-centered research on the menstrual cycle.
-to provide a formal communication network to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue about menstrual cycle events in the context of women’s health over the life span.
-to examine the practical, ethical and policy issues surrounding menstrual cycle research.
-to generate and exchange information and to promote public discussion of issues related to the menstrual cycle.
-to influence public policy for the enhancement of women’s health.

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of 10 first-time mothers who conceived through as...
05/01/2026

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of 10 first-time mothers who conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART), focusing on their emotional journeys before and after birth. It found that while the pre-motherhood period involved significant emotional strain and life disruption, post-birth experiences were characterized by resilience, intentional parenting, and strong maternal-child bonds. The findings highlight the importance of expanding ART research to address long-term psychosocial well-being, not just clinical outcomes.

✍️ Kayleigh Nolan & Kate Eglseder

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2634335
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

The study used semistructured interviews with 38 U.S.-based individuals with endometriosis (“care-seekers”) and physicia...
04/29/2026

The study used semistructured interviews with 38 U.S.-based individuals with endometriosis (“care-seekers”) and physicians to explore how care-seekers manage their self-presentation during medical encounters to establish credibility and build trust. It found that perceptions of credibility are shaped by factors like age, gender, and health literacy; online research both empowers patients and risks them being dismissed as “pseudo-experts”; and care-seekers often modify their appearance and behavior strategically to “perform credibility”.

✍️ Malavika Eby, J. Xu, N. E. Spencer, N. M. Donnellan & J. C. Chang

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2636616
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

Using cross-sectional data from 6,273 Australian women aged 24–30 in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health...
04/24/2026

Using cross-sectional data from 6,273 Australian women aged 24–30 in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, this study assessed links between pregnancy intention and preconception health. While regression analysis found that the intention to become pregnant was associated with higher body mass index (BMI), no association was found between pregnancy intention and meeting recommendations for fruit, vegetables, or physical activity. Overall, pregnancy intention was not associated with healthier behaviours, highlighting the need for targeted preconception interventions.

✍️ Sheree Spiteri, Megan Teychenne, Judi Porter, Wendy J. Brown & Paige van der Pligt

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2637757
..

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This study explored the inclusion of trans health content in Australian medicine and complementary medicine curriculums,...
04/21/2026

This study explored the inclusion of trans health content in Australian medicine and complementary medicine curriculums, as well as students and recent graduates’ beliefs about trans and gender diverse people and confidence levels providing gender affirming care. The study found minimal curricular inclusion, prevalent negative beliefs toward trans and gender diverse people, and low confidence in delivering appropriate care. Despite this, most respondents supported increasing trans health education, highlighting a gap that leaves students and providers underprepared to meet patients’ needs.

✍️ Sam Jeffrey, Tania Ferfolja, Allie Eathorne, & Mike Armour

Read more:

https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2636627
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of a structured childbirth education program on fear of childbirth...
04/17/2026

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of a structured childbirth education program on fear of childbirth and childbirth self-efficacy among 160 Jordanian pregnant women. Split into two groups, this study found that the group who received structured childbirth education had significantly lower fear of childbirth scores and higher self-efficacy compared to the group that received routine care. Findings suggest that structured childbirth education programs can effectively lower fear of childbirth and raise childbirth self-efficacy.

✍️ Eqbal Mohammad Alfarajat, Areej Othman, Mohammad Saleh, Doa’a Dwairej, Sahar Al-Shuqerat, Asma Basha & Inaam Khalaf.

Read more:
https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2637766
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

-efficacy

This qualitative analysis of 305 surveys and 20 interviews in Australia examined how culturally and linguistically diver...
04/14/2026

This qualitative analysis of 305 surveys and 20 interviews in Australia examined how culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) migrant women construct and experience the premenstrual body. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed dual surveillance, where cultural scripts intersected with Western ideals, while migration provided opportunities to challenge these negative discourses. Findings show a need to support CALD women’s wellbeing through culturally responsive healthcare and education.

✍️ Samantha Ryan & Alexandra Hawkey

Read more:

https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2636626
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This study examined how gestational age and perceived social and healthcare support relate to psychological symptoms fol...
04/13/2026

This study examined how gestational age and perceived social and healthcare support relate to psychological symptoms following perinatal loss in a sample of 149 participants recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results showed that greater gestational age and less perceived support were associated with several psychological difficulties following perinatal loss, with social support having a buffering effect among those who experienced miscarriage. Findings underscore the importance of psychological screening and strengthening support systems for individuals after perinatal loss.

✍️ Jessica P. Abdalla, Alex M. Gillham, and Nicki L. Aubuchon-Endsley

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2634336
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This article presents the epistemology of feminist situated knowledge as a transformative framework for endometriosis, m...
04/10/2026

This article presents the epistemology of feminist situated knowledge as a transformative framework for endometriosis, marking the first stage of a longer-term project. In sketching a preliminary map of conceptual and practical problems currently structuring the field, this study highlights avenues for development to make endometriosis more livable.

✍️ Laurence Dufour-Villeneuve

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2636619
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This cross-sectional study examined women’s breastfeeding experiences during pregnancy and their views on tandem breastf...
04/10/2026

This cross-sectional study examined women’s breastfeeding experiences during pregnancy and their views on tandem breastfeeding in Türkiye. Over half of participants (53.4%) breastfed during pregnancy, while 25.7% planned to tandem breastfeed. Results show that breastfeeding during pregnancy was influenced by access to information and beliefs about potential harm, while tandem breastfeeding was affected by employment status.

✍️ Yasemin Sökmen

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2634333
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This study used photo-elicitation interviews to explore how exclusively pumping mothers frame their experiences and inte...
04/08/2026

This study used photo-elicitation interviews to explore how exclusively pumping mothers frame their experiences and interpret their feeding practices. Findings revealed a mix of pride in providing breast milk and frustration with not nursing ‘naturally’, alongside significant emotional, financial, and practical burdens. Despite these challenges, mothers framed exclusive pumping as a responsible and morally valued choice, highlighting the need to broaden definitions of breastfeeding and better recognise the labor of feeding.

✍️ Jessica M. Rick

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2634343
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This qualitative study used in-depth interviews and observations with four female adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), ...
04/08/2026

This qualitative study used in-depth interviews and observations with four female adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), two mothers, and physiotherapists at two clinics in South Jakarta to examine menstrual management practices. Findings show gaps in accessible toilet facilities, limited information, and insufficient physiotherapy support, all of which hinder independence. The study highlights the need for improved infrastructure, education, and targeted physiotherapy interventions to enhance menstrual hygiene and autonomy for adolescents with CP.

✍️ Nur Khotimah Elfiyani, Wa Ode Rantika, Nuraini Fikri, and Dyas Nurvitasari Puspita

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2621877
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

This study used group discussions with patients undergoing fertility care to explore the burden of treatment, highlighti...
04/01/2026

This study used group discussions with patients undergoing fertility care to explore the burden of treatment, highlighting significant time, financial, emotional, mental, and career-related challenges. Findings suggest that the burden of treatment framework – usually employed for chronic health conditions – is applicable to fertility care and can help inform patient-centered solutions.

✍️ Danielle A. Aase, Karen N. DSouza, Minerva Orellana, Lauren Kendall Rauchfuss, Michelle McGowan, Chandra C. Shenoy, and Alessandra J. Ainsworth.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/23293691.2026.2634334
. .

Women’s Reproductive Health is the official journal of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Join the Society to receive free access to the journal: https://www.menstruationresearch.org/

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