Do you feel a sense of clarity on some days? Everything you put your mind to, you ace it. But suddenly, the clarity is gone, there is a bit of brain fog. Turns out, it is because of your menstrual cycle.

Even till this date, studies around woman's biology is lacking. However, some recent studies have shown that menstrual cycle causes brain to function a certain way.

For instance, when a woman is ovulating, her sexual desires is at peak, whereas in the beginning of follicular phase a woman might experience clarity in imagination, perception, memory and social abilities. This is also the same time when spatial skills are better, and in the later follicular phase, the anxiety rises.

Studies have also found that during the luteal phase, women feel calmer.

The Hormone Game

In 2022, Pauline Maki along with colleagues from the Gerontology Research Centre studied the fluctuating oestrogen levels and its affects on woman's abilities over the course of each month.

The study involved 16 women who were assessed twice. Once just after period when the oestrogen and progesterone levels were low and once more a week after they ovulated, when the hormone levels were high.

The study found that when these hormones were at peak, the communication abilities in women increased, whereas right after period, the spatial abilities increased.

The reason is in the Hausmann study, this reveals that a woman's tendency to use both sides of the brain becomes more extreme when the hormone levels increases each month.

Studying The Brain

A study led by neuroscientists Elizabeth Rizor and Viktoriya Babenko of the University of California Santa Barbara tracked 30 women throughout their menstrual cycles.

Menstruators experience for about 450 periods during their lifetimes. The fluctuation of hormones during this time impacts behavioural, structural and functional abilities.

To understand this better, the team took MRI scans of their subjects during the three menstrual phases: menses, ovulation and mid-luteal, which occurs after ovulation and lasts till before menstruation.

The results showed that as hormones fluctuate, the gray and white matter in the scans change too. Oestrogen and the luteinizing hormones that spurs ovulation rise and shows a change in white matter in the scan, which suggests a better information transfer.

While for progesterone that rises after ovulation, the tissue increases and cerebrospinal fluid volume decreases. What this means for the brain is yet unknown, but it opens door to more studies, including how menstrual cycle can impact mental health.

Menstrual Cycle And Mood

Turns out that mood swings are not just limited to menstruation or PMS, it changes throughout the menstrual cycle. A menstrual cycle consists of four different phases follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase, and menses.

Follicular Phase

The follicular phase starts when you begin your menstrual cycle and lasts for about 14 to 21 days, this overlaps with your menses, which is when you are on your period. This means body secretes follicle-stimulating hormone, it does not have a say in your mood, and only helps eggs to grow.

Menstruation

While menses means that uterine blood and tissues comes out through vagina. Right before your period, you may feel blues or sick, an indication that your period is approaching. While on period the feelings of anxiety remains.

Ovulation

Ovulation is when the egg is matured and is released. This is when your oestrogen levels are at peak and it improves your mood, energy and also increases sex drives.

Luteal

The luteal phase is when the follicle left behind by the departing egg secretes progesterone, this increases cravings, lowers anxiety and improves sleep. However, when the egg is left unfertilised, the progesterone levels fall and leads to PMS.

Recently the US has seen a rise in the numbers of measles cases, with outbreaks being recorded in states like Texas and South Colorina. According to the South Carolina Department of Health, the measles outbreak there as reached 16 confirmed cases, according to an October 14 announcement from state health officials. This figure includes five new cases linked to students exposed in school settings, specifically at two schools with significantly low vaccination rates.

The highly contagious viral disease was first identified in the state's Upstate region in early October by the South Carolina Department of Health. The majority of cases, a dozen, are concentrated in Spartanburg County.

What Is The Reason Behind The Rise In Measles Cases?

The South Carolina Department of Health found the highly contagious virus in the Upstate region earlier in October. Most cases, 12 of them, are in Spartanburg County. Because of this, nearly 140 unvaccinated students from two elementary schools are now staying home to prevent the spread.

The five new cases were students who were already isolating at home after being exposed at school. The exposures happened at two Spartanburg County schools with very few vaccinated students: Global Academy of South Carolina and Fairforest Elementary School according to media reports.

• Global Academy, a charter school with over 600 students, reported that only 17% of students had their required shots. Experts say 95% are needed to protect the community.
• Fairforest Elementary, a public school with over 760 students, had a slightly better rate of 85%.

Officials are worried because some people who got sick were not in contact with known cases or travelers. This suggests the measles virus is spreading easily in the community and could get worse. The state plans to offer free vaccines to help stop the spread.

Is There A Decline In The Vaccination Rates?

Low vaccination rates are causing problems across the entire country. In 2025, the U.S. has seen a record of over 1,500 measles cases in 44 different outbreaks. Most of the people who got sick were not vaccinated.

The U.S. got rid of measles in 2000, meaning new cases only came from people traveling from other countries. However, because more parents are choosing not to give their children the required vaccines, the disease has come back strongly.

Measles spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The air can stay contaminated for up to two hours. Symptoms, which appear one to two weeks later, include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed a few days later by a red rash.

Vaccines are excellent at preventing the disease. Getting the full two-dose shot (called MMR) gives 99% protection against measles and rubella, according to the National Health Services UK. They also mention how two doses also protect 88% of people against mumps. It is usually given around a child’s first birthday and again between ages 4 and 6.

Measles can be very dangerous. About 1 in 5 people who get it will need to go to the hospital. It can cause serious problems like pneumonia, which is a major cause of death in sick children or brain swelling, which can lead to deafness or other long-term disabilities.

World Spine Day is observed on October 16 every year to draw attention to the importance of spinal health and well-being. The initiative is supported by the World Federation of Chiropractic and other international health organizations to recognize the growing burden of spinal pain and disability world wide.

Many people may think that spinal injury is only prevalent among sports people, however, the fact is that spinal injuries, most common in low back pain is one of the most common injuries affecting millions worldwide and could happen by a wrong posture.

In 2020, low back pain affected 619 million people globally and is estimated to affect 843 million cases by 2050 It is also the single leading cause of disability worldwide. However, it can also be stopped by prevention, a step way before surgery. As Dr Amit Chakrabarty, Director of Neurosurgery at CK Birla Hospitals in Jaipur says, "The best spine surgery is the one you never need". He also emphasizes that spine care should be a continuum, beginning with prevention, extending through physiotherapy, and only resorting to surgery when absolutely necessary.

Spinal injuries come in all forms, from degenerative disc diseases, spinal cord injuries, tumors to slipped discs, however, the good news is that many of them are preventable through simple lifestyle measures.

Lifestyle Measures That Could Fix Spinal Problems

Dr Chakrabarty notes that these following lifestyle measures could help one prevent spinal injuries:

• Stay active as movement strengthens your spinal muscles
• Mind your posture as poor posture for long hours could cause chronic strain
• Ergonomic awareness is important as good body mechanics at work and home reduce stress on spine
• Seek timely care and do not ignoring back pain, tingling or numbness. As they could be the early signs of long-term complications
• Promote spine education by fostering spine-friendly environment from an early age

A Call For Awareness

Dr. Amitabha Chanda, Director of Neurosurgery, CMRI Kolkata, describes the spine as “the backbone of our body, supporting posture, enabling movement, and ensuring quality of life.” However, sedentary lifestyles, prolonged sitting, and poor ergonomics are making back problems increasingly common.

He advises incorporating regular exercise, stretching, and core strengthening into daily routines. “A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is equally vital for bone health,” he adds.

Dr. Chanda also warns against ignoring early signs like back stiffness or tingling, which may lead to irreversible complications if left untreated. “Spinal health is not just a medical concern but a daily commitment to movement, awareness, and care,” he stresses.

Standing Tall For Your Spine

This year's theme is also to 'Invest In Your Spine', which also encourages people to take proactive steps for spinal health through prevention, rehabilitation, and policy. As Dr Chakrabarty points out, "World Spine Day is not just a date on the calendar, it is a crucial reminder that spine health is central to overall well being."

More Americans are waiting longer than ever to start families. In fact, birth rates among women in their early 30s have surpassed those of women in their late 20s for the seventh straight year in 2022. The number of births among women aged 40 and older is also on the rise, government data shows.

This trend challenges the long-held belief that getting pregnant becomes nearly impossible or too risky with age. However, fertility specialists say the truth is more layered. To understand it better, we spoke with Dr. Akta Bajaj, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, who helped clear up some of the biggest misconceptions.

Can Age Really Affect Your Fertility?

For many years, experts have blamed declining egg quality as the main reason for reduced fertility with age. But new findings from UC San Francisco and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco suggest that there’s more to it. The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reveals that the cells and tissues surrounding the egg also play a major role in how eggs mature and how fast fertility declines.

According to Dr. Randi Goldman, Program Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Northwell, while fertility naturally drops with age, it’s a gradual change rather than a sudden one. Many women in their 30s are still capable of conceiving without assistance. Data shows that the odds of pregnancy in a single menstrual cycle are around 25% for women in their 20s, about 20% by age 30, and roughly 15% by age 35 — which Dr. Goldman notes is still quite reasonable.

Myths Around Age and Fertility

Dr Bajaj told us that fertility comes with its own set of facts and myths, and she told us some myths around fertility that everyone should note:

Myth 1: Fertility Declines Only After 35

Fact: Fertility doesn’t suddenly drop at 35, it starts to dip slowly in the late 20s and early 30s. By the mid-30s, this decline becomes more noticeable, and after 37, it tends to speed up. While chances of conception decrease gradually, many women in their 30s still conceive naturally and have healthy pregnancies. It may take a little longer, but it’s often still achievable.

Myth 2: Modern Medicine Can Reverse Age-Related Fertility Decline

Fact: Treatments like IVF can improve the chances of pregnancy but can’t completely undo the effects of aging. As a woman ages, egg quality drops, which affects embryo growth and lowers IVF success rates. IVF relies on a woman’s own eggs, and if those eggs are older, embryos may not develop as well. Donor eggs can increase success rates, but no medical procedure can reverse the natural aging of the ovaries.

Myth 3: Men’s Age Doesn’t Matter

Fact: Men also experience age-related fertility changes, though more slowly. Sperm count, movement, and DNA quality begin to decline after 40, which can make conception harder and slightly raise the risk of miscarriage or certain developmental disorders. The risk remains small but becomes more visible as men get older.

Myth 4: You Can Always Freeze Eggs and Conceive Later

Fact: Egg freezing gives women flexibility but is not a guaranteed path to pregnancy. Success largely depends on the age at which eggs are frozen. The ideal time is before 35 when eggs are typically healthier. Freezing eggs at an older age can result in fewer viable embryos and lower chances of success. It’s a helpful option, but not a sure solution.

Myth 5: If You’re Healthy, Age Doesn’t Matter

Fact: Good health supports fertility but can’t completely overcome the effects of aging. Regular exercise, nutritious eating, and avoiding smoking or heavy drinking can help reproductive health, but they don’t stop the biological changes that occur in eggs and sperm as we age.

In short, while age does play a role in fertility, it doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible after your 30s. Experts agree that understanding your body and seeking timely guidance can make all the difference when planning parenthood later in life.