About Us
Our Story
The Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR) was founded by Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior in May 2002. The Centre studies the physical and psychological causes and effects of ovulation disturbances on women’s overall health. CeMCOR publishes scientific results and also disseminates the information directly to women and to healthcare providers.
CeMCOR is an easily accessed information centre supported by a Scientific Advisory Council of international researchers located in Australia, Hong Kong, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and across Canada. Comprised of nutritionists, gynecologists, sociologists, epidemiologists, psychologists and endocrinologists, the team brings a scientific yet woman-centred approach to women’s health.
A local Community Advisory Council is bringing community perspectives and energy in setting research and education priorities. These volunteer members will act as a reference group in the development and implementation of research and education projects.
“What’s unique about this group is that we’re putting social science and biology together in a novel focus on women’s cycles and ovulation,” says Dr. Prior. “The collaboration across disciplines is what makes the difference. CeMCOR is reframing scientific knowledge of the menstrual cycle and ovulation in a women-centered context.”
Researchers with the Centre are documenting variations in the menstrual cycle and ovulation in the context of the lives of women of all ages. CeMCOR is analyzing the relationships of the menstrual cycle and ovulation changes with weight changes, metabolism changes, eating attitudes, breast maturation, bone physiology, premenstrual experiences and changes in the physiology of exercise, respiration, cardiovascular function and breast density and nodularity.
The postulate that progesterone, as well as estrogen, is important contrasts with most studies that focus on estrogen and estrogen treatment. Studies commonly equate osteoporosis risk with menopause. However, bone loss begins during perimenopause, and peak bone mass probably reflects a woman’s history of ovulation (and hence progesterone exposure).
Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior is available to provide more background information and the specifics of the research that lead her to postulate that ovulation and progesterone hold the key for women’s health.
Mission & Values
Our Mission
- To create and share a scientific, holistic body of knowledge focused on normal patterns of hormones in the population and changes in women’s menstrual cycles and ovulatory characteristics across the life cycle.
- To perform studies, analyze data, publish and teach about the science of menstrual cycle and ovulation physiology and the expressions of these in women’s experiences.
Our Values
- Affirm women’s accurate self-knowledge on personal health issues as they progress through the natural stages of their lives.
- Produce quality science that is hypothesis-driven and evidence-based.
Core Areas of Research
- Document premenopausal variations in menstrual cycles and ovulation in the context of women’s lives and explore relationships with bone, breast and cardiovascular health.
- Prospectively document and analyze menstrual cycle and ovulation changes from premenopause through perimenopause to understand and describe relationships among endocrinological, metabolic and experiential changes.
- Document the development of menstruation and ovulation during the early years following menarche and relationships among these and eating attitudes, growth, bone health and metabolism changes.
- Study population patterns of menstrual cycles and ovulation across the life cycle.
Awards & Recognition
In June 2023, CeMCOR’s founder, Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior was honoured for her groundbreaking contributions to women’s health research with an induction into the VCH Medical Staff Hall of Honour. This recognition celebrates her dedication to advancing science that amplifies the voices and experiences of women+.
Dr Jerilynn Prior, professor of medicine, award winning endocrinologist, pioneer in women’s health, and advocate for women in medicine. Dr Prior is world renowned as a researcher in the endocrinology of the menstrual cycle and ovulation as well as metabolic bone disease. Dr Prior was also a medical leader in the world peace movement and is a prize-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction books.
Issue: BCMJ, vol. 65, September 2023, News
Our Team & Advisors
Our Staff
Meet the dedicated team driving CeMCOR’s groundbreaking research studies and community initiatives.
Our Advisors
Learn about the experts and community members guiding CeMCOR’s research and priorities.