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Fertility may drive women’s desire for luxury

Research suggests that women's hormonal fluctuations during ovulation drive their desire for luxury goods, which may serve as a visible signal to attract mates. Studies found that women near ovulation prefer more conspicuous luxury products and display luxury in public, but not in private.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

A nasal spray reaches a woman's brain differently depending on the week, and it may explain why a promising brain drug looked like a failure

A new study found that intranasal davunetide reaches the brain in higher amounts in female mice when estrogen peaks, with similar results seen in healthy adults. The findings suggest earlier trials mixing males and females may have obscured the true effects of the drug.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

Natural ovulation as effective as hormones before IVF embryo transfer

A clinical trial found that natural ovulation before frozen embryo transfer is as effective as hormone treatment in achieving a healthy baby by IVF, with a lower risk of maternal complications. The study involved 4,376 ovulatory women and showed similar outcomes for birth weight and newborn complications.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 21, 2026

Mild breast tenderness and a little swelling before flow are expected in healthy ovulatory cycles

A one-year study of 53 healthy women with regular ovulatory cycles found that mild breast tenderness and swelling before menstruation are common and expected. The study suggests that these symptoms may occur more frequently during normal ovulation than previously thought, contradicting previous assumptions about premenstrual syndrome.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2025

Could the contraceptive pill reduce risk of ovarian cancer?

Researchers found that women who had used the oral contraceptive pill had a lower risk of ovarian cancer, with a 39% reduced risk for those who had given birth to two or more children. The study also identified certain biomarkers and lifestyle factors associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer, including lower body weight and short...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2025

Does fertility affect a woman’s body odor?

Researchers analyzed underarm odour samples from 29 women over a menstrual cycle, finding no evidence that men prefer fertile days. Chemical analysis also showed no correlation between odour composition and fertility status.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2024

Gene expression atlas captures where ovulation can go awry

A gene expression atlas has been developed to map the complex cellular and molecular interactions that drive ovulation in mice. The findings reveal a previously unknown layer of selection that determines which follicles will release eggs, and highlight the importance of early differentiation markers for fertility management.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2024

Study shows exposure to household chemicals can lower odds of getting pregnant

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to phthalates can lower the odds of getting pregnant, but not lead to pregnancy loss. The researchers also discovered associations between preconception phthalate exposure and changes in women's reproductive hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2023

Cheap and safe hormone treatment shows promise for couples with unexplained infertility

A small study suggests that vaginal progesterone treatment can increase the chances of conception in couples with unexplained infertility. The treatment, which is safe and low-cost, showed more than double the birth rate among treated women, but further research is needed to confirm these results.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 26, 2023

Model suggests lowering hormone doses in contraceptives

A new computational model suggests that reducing hormone doses in contraceptives could effectively suppress ovulation. The model found that hormone doses could be lowered by up to 92% in estrogen-only contraceptives and 43% in progesterone-only contraceptives, while still preventing ovulation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 13, 2023

COVID-19 pandemic stress impacts ovulation

Research presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting found that COVID-19 pandemic stress led to disturbed ovulation in many women. Nearly two-thirds of participants experienced short luteal phases or anovulation, indicating a significant impact on reproductive health.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateJun 12, 2022

The birth of twins is not linked to women's fertility

A new analysis of over 100,000 births reveals that women with a high chance of having twins generally have reduced fertility. The study found that twin survival and increased pregnancies can compensate for reproductive aging, leading to higher total child numbers.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 24, 2022

UMass Amherst study examines associations between contraceptive methods and early menopause

A UMass Amherst study found associations between oral contraceptive use and certain tubal ligation methods with lower levels of antimüllerian hormone (AMH), a biomarker for ovarian aging. This may suggest an increased risk for early menopause in women who have used oral contraceptives or undergone specific types of tubal ligation.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalMenopause·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2022

Aging stiffens the blood vessels but their flexibility also fluctuates based on a woman’s hormone state

A study found that arterial stiffness increases with age, but hormonal fluctuations also play a role. Women's hormone levels, particularly estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone, were associated with stiffer arteries, while older women had stiffer vessels regardless of hormone status.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·DateDec 10, 2021

What do the red 'ornaments' of female macaques mean?

Researchers studied Japanese macaques to investigate the link between female coloration and attractiveness. Contrary to previous assumptions, dominant female macaques with darker hindquarters were found to have greater reproductive success.

SourceCNRS·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJul 19, 2019

Are fertility apps useful?

A study of 200,000 FAM app users found that digital self-tracking can provide valuable information for inferring underlying hormonal changes and ovulation timing. The analysis revealed patterns similar to those in small-scale clinical studies, with notable improvements in the duration and range of the follicular phase.

A study in scarlet Japanese macaques

A team from Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute found that female red skin color acts as a 'badge' of their social status, not fertility. Female Japanese macaques with darker/redder hindquarters are of higher social rank.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateJul 8, 2019

Estrogen discovery could shed new light on fertility problems

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discover estrogen produced in brain is necessary for ovulation in monkeys, potentially revealing cause of infertility problems and pointing to new methods of birth control. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of hormonal cascade leading to egg release from ovaries.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 12, 2017

Yale researchers shed light on evolutionary mystery: Origins of the female orgasm

Researchers at Yale and Cincinnati Children's Hospital propose that the human female orgasm evolved to stimulate ovulation, a trait shared with many other placental mammals. The study suggests that female orgasm became superfluous for reproduction later in evolution, freeing it for secondary roles.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution·DateAug 1, 2016

Female bonobos send mixed messages to males

A study of wild female bonobos found that their sexual swellings are unreliable signals of fertility, allowing females to manipulate mate choice. The findings suggest that male bonobos may not be able to successfully compete over females due to the variability in swelling patterns.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateJul 6, 2016

The successful ovulation of 100 eggs from 1 female mouse

Researchers developed an ultra-superovulation method to increase the number of eggs obtained from genetically modified mice, reducing the need for multiple females and improving efficiency in IVF and embryo transfers. The breakthrough could lead to a significant reduction in the number of experimental animals used in research.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 19, 2015