Over the years of creating products and speaking with women, I’ve come to realize one important thing: we often blame ourselves for symptoms that are actually driven by hormonal changes. Too often, we lack the right information — and sometimes, even understanding from those around us.
That’s why the new Vilnius University study, “HEAL-Women: Hormonal Changes and Women’s Mental Health,” feels especially important to me. It has the potential to help explain why many women experience intense emotional, psychological, and physical changes before their period or during (peri)menopause — changes that deeply affect not only their own daily lives, but also the lives of those close to them.
Gentle Day is supporting this project through funding and awareness, because we see how limited this knowledge still is — not only among women themselves, but also among healthcare professionals. We truly want this research to succeed. That’s why our community can also contribute: every customer shopping in our e-store has the option to support this scientific study.
To learn more about how the research will be conducted, why it matters, and what kind of change it may bring, we spoke with the study’s lead researcher — neuroscientist Professor Ramunė Grikšienė.
Who are you, and what does your research group focus on?
I’m Ramunė Grikšienė, a neuroscientist and professor at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University.
For nearly 20 years — since my student days — I’ve been interested in how hormones, especially sex hormones, are connected to processes in the brain. I lead the Hormones and Brain Function Research Group, where we study brain activity during different hormonal states: across the menstrual cycle, while using hormonal contraception, during (peri)menopause, and also in men, depending on testosterone and cortisol levels.
We measure how the balance between brain excitation and inhibition changes at rest, how the brain responds to emotional stimuli, and how strongly it engages during cognitive tasks. We also ask participants how they feel and how they evaluate themselves at different levels of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol.
Stress is another major focus of our work. We examine how the body responds to stress and how these responses relate to hormones. We are also involved in projects exploring how teachers’ stress markers change when they learn mindfulness-based techniques.
We collaborate closely with gynecologists, psychologists, and other specialists in Lithuania and abroad.
What makes the HEAL-Women study unique? Who is organizing it, and how long will it last?
We are currently launching the HEAL-Women study at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University, in collaboration with partners in Lithuania (such as the Lithuanian Menopause Association) and internationally (including Erasmus University in the Netherlands, among others).
The study will run from 2025 to 2029. During this time, we will conduct experiments, analyze data, and publish the results in scientific journals as well as in sources accessible to the general public.
What is the main goal of this study, and why is it so important for women’s mental health?
This study was inspired by the understanding that women’s mental health is deeply intertwined with hormonal changes in the body. Many mental health conditions — especially mood-related disorders such as depression, anxiety, and panic attacks — tend to appear or worsen during periods of significant hormonal fluctuation: adolescence, the premenstrual phase, pregnancy and postpartum, and (peri)menopause.
What’s concerning is that many women — and even healthcare professionals — do not always connect mental health symptoms with hormonal changes. This makes diagnosis more difficult and limits access to appropriate support. We also still don’t fully understand why some women experience only mild symptoms, while others face severe challenges that disrupt their health, relationships, and ability to work.
Our study focuses on two main groups.
The first includes young women with regular menstrual cycles who experience moderate premenstrual symptoms (PMS) or severe symptoms associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is often misdiagnosed as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety — without recognizing its direct link to the menstrual cycle. Recent research from the UK has shown that PMDD significantly affects not only women themselves, but also their partners and relationships. Long-term studies indicate that women with PMDD are at higher risk for depression during and after pregnancy, as well as increased suicide risk — which may fluctuate depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle.
The second group includes middle-aged women experiencing (peri)menopausal symptoms. These symptoms are not limited to physical changes such as hot flashes, but also include sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, and cognitive difficulties. Research shows that menopausal symptoms can significantly impact women’s participation in the workforce. In some cases, symptom severity leads to reduced productivity, frequent sick leave, or even leaving the workforce altogether. Surveys from the UK reveal that many women consider changing careers or reducing workloads due to inadequate workplace support during menopause.
The core goal of the HEAL-Women study is to develop individualized, evidence-based support strategies that improve women’s mental health and overall quality of life. We also aim to increase awareness among women and their loved ones, empowering them to seek appropriate help.
How will the study be conducted? What interventions will be used?
Each group will include around 100 participants. Women will complete questionnaires and visit our laboratory, where we will record brain activity both at rest and during specific tasks. This allows us to assess symptom severity and baseline brain function.
Depending on the group, different interventions will follow:
- Psychoeducation (knowledge): All participants will attend expert-led lectures tailored to their group, covering lifestyle changes that may help ease symptoms — including nutrition, supplementation, sleep habits, and mindfulness practices.
- Hormone therapy: Participants in the (peri)menopause group will be offered gynecological consultations and hormone therapy.
- Psychoeducation (skills): Women with the most severe symptoms will be invited to group sessions led by clinical psychologists, focused on practical coping strategies.
- Individual psychotherapy: Those experiencing the strongest symptoms will be offered individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Between and after interventions, participants will return to the lab so we can compare changes in symptoms and brain activity across groups.
How could this research improve women’s health in the future?
First, healthcare professionals urgently need reliable data on symptom origins and the effectiveness of different interventions. We hope this study will strengthen the scientific foundation for better care.
Second, we expect that the therapies used will significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for participants.
Third, knowledge is a powerful tool. Throughout the study and beyond, we will actively share insights with the public, helping women better understand their experiences and seek appropriate support.
Finally, open conversations about women’s health challenges help reduce stigma. They allow women and their families to speak more openly, foster empathy, and build a more supportive society.
Is similar research being conducted elsewhere in the world?
For a long time, this field was under-researched. But today, studies focusing on women’s health are emerging across Europe, Canada, the US, and Australia — from adolescence and menstrual health to pregnancy, menopause, and aging.
Researchers are exploring biomarkers, childhood trauma, gut microbiota, and links to later-life diseases. We believe this field will continue to grow, and we are proud to contribute meaningful research from Lithuania.
Which past findings on women’s cycles stand out the most?
We’ve spent many years studying the effects of hormonal contraception on brain function. The takeaway is clear: hormonal balance changes do affect women’s well-being, though sensitivity varies from woman to woman. Emotional processing appears particularly affected, while cognitive changes depend more on context than hormones alone.
Interestingly, our research also suggests that hormonal IUDs may have systemic effects, not just local ones — influencing behavior and brain activity.
Another ongoing study examines how cognition, emotional recognition, self-esteem, and body perception fluctuate across the menstrual cycle. Early findings show that women’s self-confidence and anxiety often rise and fall alongside hormonal changes. In certain phases, women may underestimate their abilities or perceive physical changes that aren’t objectively present.
More than research
This study is more than an academic project. It’s a real step toward a future where hormonal changes are no longer ignored — but understood.
Through Gentle Day, I see how many women are still searching for answers about fluctuating emotions, energy, and well-being. Supporting the HEAL-Women study is a natural extension of what we do every day: helping women live in balance through knowledge and care.
The more openly we talk about the connection between hormones and mental health, the sooner guilt will be replaced with understanding, empathy, and support. Because health isn’t just about the body — it’s also about our thoughts, emotions, and self-acceptance.