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The researchers studied the changes that took place when the participants underwent two phases of the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase and the luteal phase.

During the participants’ follicular phase, when a period typically begins, the brain was more sensitive to the effects of insulin.

The follicular phase is when an egg is being prepared for ovulation, which usually begins on the first day of a period and ends once ovulation happens.

Each participant underwent four sessions: two were conducted in their cycle’s follicular phase, and the other two occurred in the luteal phase.

The menstrual cycle is the rhythmic rise and fall of hormones across two different phases, the follicular phase and the luteal phase; ovulation separates the two.