Your Period and Your Pregnancy

This study aims to understand the association between a woman’s menstrual cycle and her pregnancy outcomes.

Your Period and Your Pregnancy is a prospective cohort study. Women in early pregnancy (13-15 weeks), free of known endometrial pathologies are invited to participate in early pregnancy. On entry to the study, women complete a validated menstrual history survey as a marker of their endometrial health prior to pregnancy. Survey data is then linked with extensive clinical measures and birth outcomes. Participants are also be invited to complete an optional fetal movements survey at 28–32 and 36+ weeks’ gestation. The primary outcome of this study is a composite of stillbirth, spontaneous preterm birth, pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction. Collection and biobanking of tissue samples will also occur at birth to enable scientific studies.

Findings from this study have the potential to uncover previously unknown associations between menstruation and pregnancy and elucidate the foundation of placental dysfunction or unknown causes of stillbirth to drive the development of new interventions and strategies to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Publication

Tindal K, Cousins F, Palmer KR, Ellery S, Vollenhoven B, Gargett CE, et al. Your period and your pregnancy, a cohort study of pregnant patients investigating the associations between menstruation and birth outcomes in Australia: study protocol. BMJ Open. 2025;15(1):e091813.