Misha Nasarpuri

Working Title: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in Women: The Impact of Menopause, Pregnancy, and Menstruation on Brain Health

Started Jan. 12, 2024

Abstract or project description

During a woman's life cycle, she can undergo hormone changes due to her biological aging and reproductive capabilities. The hormonal fluctuations accompanying the biological complexities during reproductive stages also alter brain size. For example, it was noted that the brain volume of gray matter goes down during the menses to the mid-luteal phase. In contrast, the central spinal fluid goes up at the same time, which indicates how much solid matter is 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 then decrease later. In contrast, the overall brain size does the opposite. Lastly, during menopause, women's brain size decreases highly, not only because of age but also because of a loss in sex hormones. This review article will discuss the differences women experience with their bodies to understand further how it affects their brains.