How climate and racial factors affect menstrual health
Official title: Climate factors, racial/ethnic disparities, and menstrual cycle health
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11009985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like climate and air pollution might affect your menstrual cycle and the risk of conditions like PCOS, especially for different racial and ethnic groups, to help understand how these factors impact reproductive health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $546,929 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES035106-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women of reproductive age, particularly those experiencing menstrual irregularities or diagnosed with PCOS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not of reproductive age or do not experience menstrual cycle issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how environmental factors, particularly climate and air pollution, influence menstrual cycle health and the risk of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It aims to understand the hormonal disruptions caused by these factors and how they may vary across different racial and ethnic groups. By examining the menstrual cycle as a marker of reproductive health, the study will collect data on hormone levels and menstrual patterns in diverse populations. The findings could help identify at-risk groups and inform public health strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of menstrual health issues, particularly for women affected by PCOS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental factors can impact reproductive health, suggesting that this study's approach is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mahalingaiah, Shruthi — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Mahalingaiah, Shruthi
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.