Hormonal milieu influences whole-brain structural dynamics across the menstrual cycle using dense sampling in...

Gonadal hormone receptors are widely distributed across the brain, yet their influence on brain structure remains understudied. Here, using precision imaging, we examined four females, including one with endometriosis and one using oral contraceptives (OC), across a monthly period. Whole-brain analyses revealed spatiotemporal patterns of brain volume changes, with substantial variations across the monthly period. In typical cycles, spatiotemporal patterns were associated with serum progesterone levels, while in cycles with endometriosis and during OC intake, patterns were associated with serum estradiol levels. The volume changes were widely distributed rather than region-specific, suggesting a widespread but coordinated influence of hormonal fluctuations. These findings underscore the importance of considering diverse hormonal milieus beyond typical menstrual cycles in understanding structural brain dynamics and suggest that hormonal rhythms may drive widespread structural brain changes.