--- title: Do brain networks change during the menstrual cycle and relate to premenstrual symptoms? description: Brain networks appear stable across different menstrual cycle phases. However, in women on birth control pills, changes in one brain network area correlated w url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/stability-of-resting-state-networks-in-the-female-brain-during-hormonal-changes-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do brain networks change during the menstrual cycle and relate to premenstrual symptoms? Cohort study, 2015 # Do brain networks change during the menstrual cycle and relate to premenstrual symptoms? Brain networks appear stable across different menstrual cycle phases. However, in women on birth control pills, changes in one brain network area correlated with premenstrual-like symptoms. This was a very small study using advanced brain imaging. Early or limited evidence 18 women with natural menstrual cycles and 19 women using hormonal contraceptives ## What they did Longitudinal fMRI brain imaging study. Eighteen women with natural menstrual cycles were scanned at three time points (follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase). Nineteen women using hormonal contraceptives were scanned twice (during inactive and active pill phases). Blood samples measured hormone levels and daily questionnaires tracked premenstrual symptoms. ## What they found The default mode network and executive control network showed no major changes across different hormone phases. In women taking hormonal contraceptives, increased connectivity in the posterior part of the default mode network correlated with premenstrual-like symptoms during the inactive pill phase. ## What it means for you Brain networks stay relatively stable during the menstrual cycle, but some brain changes may relate to premenstrual-like symptoms in women on birth control. The main limitations are the very small sample size and unclear clinical significance of the brain imaging findings. 18 women with natural cycles 19 women on contraceptives 3 scan time points for natural cycle group ## About the study Original title Stability of resting state networks in the female brain during hormonal changes and their relation to premenstrual symptoms Authors De Bondt T, Smeets D, Pullens P et al. Journal Brain research Year 2015 Study design Cohort study Participants 19 What was tested None (observational fMRI brain imaging study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2015.07.045](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2015.07.045) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2024 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Systematic review, 2023 How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes? Systematic review, 2022 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? Randomised trial, 2015 Which birth control pill better reduces PMS and menstrual symptoms: nomegestrol acetate or drospirenone? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗