The 4M leads and members have co-created a list of relevant research papers and resources. You can contribute to this list by accessing the Google Document (linked in 4M newsletters) or contacting the 4M team.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPERS

Martin, F.Z., Easey, K.E., Howe, L.D., Fraser, A., Lawlor, D.A., Relton, C.L., Sharp, G.C., 2024. A novel hypothesis-generating approach for detecting phenotypic associations using epigenetic data. Epigenomics 16, 851–864. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501911.2024.2366157

• Relevance: identifies epigenetic sites associated with heavy menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea in adolescents and relates these to early life risk factors including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and systemic low grade inflammation.

Mohammed, S.S., Gagnon, M.M., Cummings, J.A., 2024. “You’re Not Alone”: How Adolescents Share Dysmenorrhea Experiences Through Vlogs. Qual Health Res 34, 540–551. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323231216654 

Betsu, B.D., Medhanyie, A.A., Gebrehiwet, T.G., Wall, L.L., 2023. “Menstruation is a Fearful Thing”: A Qualitative Exploration of Menstrual Experiences and Sources of Information About Menstruation Among Adolescent Schoolgirls. Int J Womens Health 15, 881–892. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S407455 

Marí-Klose, M., Julià, A., Escapa, S., Gallo, P., 2023. Period poverty and mental health in a representative sample of young women in Barcelona, Spain. BMC Womens Health 23, 201. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02328-w 

Prince, C., Joinson, C., Kwong, A.S.F., Fraser, A., Heron, J., 2023. The relationship between timing of onset of menarche and depressive symptoms from adolescence to adulthood. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 32, e60. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796023000707 

Schwartz, B.I., Effron, A., Bear, B., Short, V.L., Eisenberg, J., Felleman, S., Kazak, A.E., 2022. Experiences with Menses in Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adolescents. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 35, 450–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2022.01.015 

Schoep, M.E., Nieboer, T.E., van der Zanden, M., Braat, D.D.M., Nap, A.W., 2019. The impact of menstrual symptoms on everyday life: a survey among 42,879 women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 220, 569.e1-569.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2019.02.048 

Sequeira, M.-E., Lewis, S.J., Bonilla, C., Smith, G.D., Joinson, C., 2017. Association of timing of menarche with depressive symptoms and depression in adolescence: Mendelian randomisation study. Br J Psychiatry 210, 39–46. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.115.168617 

Gleason, C.E., Dowling, N.M., Wharton, W., Manson, J.E., Miller, V.M., Atwood, C.S., Brinton, E.A., Cedars, M.I., Lobo, R.A., Merriam, G.R., Neal-Perry, G., Santoro, N.F., Taylor, H.S., Black, D.M., Budoff, M.J., Hodis, H.N., Naftolin, F., Harman, S.M., Asthana, S., 2015. Effects of Hormone Therapy on Cognition and Mood in Recently Postmenopausal Women: Findings from the Randomized, Controlled KEEPS-Cognitive and Affective Study. PLoS Med 12, e1001833; discussion e1001833. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001833 

Copeland, W., Shanahan, L., Miller, S., Costello, E.J., Angold, A., Maughan, B., 2010. Outcomes of early pubertal timing in young women: a prospective population-based study. Am J Psychiatry 167, 1218–1225. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.09081190

Mishra, G.D., Cooper, R., Tom, S.E., Kuh, D., 2009. Early life circumstances and their impact on menarche and menopause. Womens Health (Lond) 5, 175–190. https://doi.org/10.2217/17455057.5.2.175 

Ussher, J.M., 2008. Challenging the Positioning of Premenstrual Change as PMS: The Impact of a Psychological Intervention on Women’s Self-Policing. Qualitative Research in Psychology 5, 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780880701863567 

Santer, M., Wyke, S., Warner, P., 2007. What aspects of periods are most bothersome for women reporting heavy menstrual bleeding? Community survey and qualitative study. BMC Womens Health 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-7-8 

Ussher, J.M., Hunter, M., Cariss, M., 2002. A woman‐centred psychological intervention for premenstrual symptoms, drawing on cognitive‐behavioural and narrative therapy. Clin Psychology and Psychoth 9, 319–331. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.340 

REVIEWS

​​Rosen Vollmar, A.K., Mahalingaiah, S., Jukic, A.M., 2025. The menstrual cycle as a vital sign: a comprehensive review. F&S Reviews 6, 100081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2024.100081

Barrington, D.J., Robinson, H.J., Wilson, E., Hennegan, J., 2021. Experiences of menstruation in high income countries: A systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis and comparison to low- and middle-income countries. PLoS ONE 16, e0255001. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255001

Kuehner, C., Nayman, S., 2021. Premenstrual Exacerbations of Mood Disorders: Findings and Knowledge Gaps. Curr Psychiatry Rep 23, 78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01286-0 

Pfeifer, J.H., Allen, N.B., 2021. Puberty Initiates Cascading Relationships Between Neurodevelopmental, Social, and Internalizing Processes Across Adolescence. Biol Psychiatry 89, 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.002 

Sharp, G.C., Fraser, A., Sawyer, G., Kountourides, G., Easey, K.E., Ford, G., Olszewska, Z., Howe, L.D., Lawlor, D.A., Alvergne, A., Maybin, J.A., 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and the menstrual cycle: research gaps and opportunities. International Journal of Epidemiology 51, 691–700. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyab239

Schweizer-Schubert, S., Gordon, J.L., Eisenlohr-Moul, T.A., Meltzer-Brody, S., Schmalenberger, K.M., Slopien, R., Zietlow, A.-L., Ehlert, U., Ditzen, B., 2020. Steroid Hormone Sensitivity in Reproductive Mood Disorders: On the Role of the GABAA Receptor Complex and Stress During Hormonal Transitions. Front Med (Lausanne) 7, 479646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.479646 

Li, S.H., Graham, B.M., 2017. Why are women so vulnerable to anxiety, trauma-related and stress-related disorders? The potential role of sex hormones. Lancet Psychiatry 4, 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30358-3 

McEvoy, K., Osborne, L.M., Nanavati, J., Payne, J.L., 2017. Reproductive Affective Disorders: a Review of the Genetic Evidence for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Postpartum Depression. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0852-0 

Oram, S., Khalifeh, H., Howard, L.M., 2017. Violence against women and mental health. Lancet Psychiatry 4, 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30261-9 

Oyola, M.G., Handa, R.J., 2017. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes: sex differences in regulation of stress responsivity. Stress 20, 476–494. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2017.1369523 

Schiller, C.E., Johnson, S.L., Abate, A.C., Schmidt, P.J., Rubinow, D.R., 2016. Reproductive Steroid Regulation of Mood and Behavior. Compr Physiol 6, 1135–1160. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c150014 

Sharma, S., Powers, A., Bradley, B., Ressler, K.J., 2016. Gene × Environment Determinants of Stress- and Anxiety-Related Disorders. Annu Rev Psychol 67, 239–261. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033408 

Romans, S., Clarkson, R., Einstein, G., Petrovic, M., Stewart, D., 2012. Mood and the menstrual cycle: a review of prospective data studies. Gend Med 9, 361–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genm.2012.07.003 

EDITORIALS, COMMENTARIES, ETC

Ford, A., Campbell, J., Marwick, K.F.M., 2025. The medicalisation of menstruation: a double-edged sword. Wellcome Open Res 10, 204. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24017.1 

Hickey, M., LaCroix, A.Z., Doust, J., Mishra, G.D., Sivakami, M., Garlick, D., Hunter, M.S., 2024. An empowerment model for managing menopause. Lancet 403, 947–957. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02799-X 

Sharp, G.C., Lavu, D., Cooper, A., Yarlett, F., Brauer, R., 2024. Intersection of menstrual and menopausal health with mental health: implications for general practice. Br J Gen Pract 74, 390–391. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp24X739149

Sharp, G.C., De Giorgio, L., 2023. Menarche, Menstruation, Menopause and Mental Health (4M): a consortium facilitating interdisciplinary research at the intersection of menstrual and mental health. Front. Glob. Womens Health 4, 1258973. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1258973

Ford, A., De Togni, G., Miller, L., 2021. Hormonal Health: Period Tracking Apps, Wellness, and Self-Management in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism. Engag Sci Technol Soc 7, 48–66. https://doi.org/10.17351/ests2021.655

Eisenlohr-Moul, T., 2019. Premenstrual Disorders: A Primer and Research Agenda for Psychologists. Clin Psychol 72, 5–17.

Howard, L.M., Ehrlich, A.M., Gamlen, F., Oram, S., 2017. Gender-neutral mental health research is sex and gender biased. Lancet Psychiatry 4, 9–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30209-7 

Vivian-Taylor, J., Hickey, M., 2014. Menopause and depression: Is there a link? Maturitas 79, 142–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.05.014 

Soares, C.N., Zitek, B., 2008. Reproductive hormone sensitivity and risk for depression across the female life cycle: a continuum of vulnerability? J Psychiatry Neurosci 33, 331–343.

BOOKS

King, S., 2025. Menstrual myth busting: the case of the hormonal female. Policy Press, Bristol.

REPORTS AND DATA NOTES

NHS Confederation (2024), Women’s health economics: investing in the 51 per cent. https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/womens-health-economics

Sawyer, G., Howe, L.D., Fraser, A., Clayton, G., Lawlor, D.A., Sharp, G.C., 2023. Menstrual cycle features in mothers and daughters in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Wellcome Open Research 8, 386. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19774.1

WEBSITES

Menarche Menstruation Menopause and Mental Health (4M) Consortium, 4mhealth.uk: a global network of researchers and non-research organisations working at the intersection of menstrual and mental health. Website includes recorded seminars on a range of relevant topics.

Menstrual Matters, www.menstrual-matters.com: Menstrual-Matters is a non-profit online information hub where you can: Check- if your symptoms are cyclic; Track- your healthy changes and/ or symptoms over time (at least 2 cycles), to help your doctor make a more-informed diagnosis; Manage- your health and wellbeing through evidence-based interventions; & Learn- about your body, and how ancient myths and taboos continue to affect the way in which people who menstruate are treated in society

OTHER RESOURCES

Jen Gunter TED talk: Why Can’t We Talk About Periods? https://www.ted.com/talks/jen_gunter_why_can_t_we_talk_about_periods

28ish Days Later, BBC Podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bvg9nm 

Bianca Nogrady, The Guardian: The Chemical Question: Does Focusing on Hormones Undermine Mental Healthcare? https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/09/the-chemical-question-does-focusing-on-hormones-undermine-mental-healthcare

Smith, K., 2023. Women’s health research lacks funding – in a series of charts. Nature 617, 28–29. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-01475-2