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Female biology has long been overlooked in research and clinical trials, with male bodies often treated as the “default.” Even today, women remain underrepresented across many fields, particularly in early-phase and industry-sponsored studies, where participation often falls below 30%. This gap has real consequences: women can experience diseases differently, respond differently to treatments, and face higher rates of adverse drug reactions.

One critically underexplored area is female reproductive aging, and it’s about far more than fertility. The ovaries age faster than any other organ, and because they produce hormones that act body-wide, this accelerated aging and its hormonal shifts affect the heart, bones, brain function, metabolism, and more.

In simple terms, when ovarian function declines, the production of vital hormones that protect multiple systems also decreases. Such a hormonal shift significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, osteoporosis, insomnia, weight gain, and other age-related conditions. Research shows that women who experience menopause later tend to live longer and maintain healthier cellular function, while early menopause is linked to higher health risks. Understanding these differences will allow scientists to develop tools that can extend healthy years for women worldwide.

This is why the Longevity Science Foundation chose to focus our latest grant call on Female Fertility & Longevity. We asked a simple question with big consequences: if we could better understand, and even slow ovarian aging, how many of those “that’s just getting older” moments could become preventable? The response was inspiring. Researchers submitted proposals that ranged from smart diagnostics for tracking ovarian health to hormonal and lifestyle strategies, as well as entirely new therapies aimed at preserving or rejuvenating function. We’re prioritizing projects that can move quickly from lab to life-safe, practical solutions that doctors can use and women can access without years of delay. With an exceptionally competitive round of applications, the LSF is finalizing our reviews to select the most promising projects.

Picture what success could mean for a woman in her 40s-50s: clearer sleep, steadier mood, stronger bones, a heart that feels calm again, not because she’s masking symptoms, but because the underlying biology is better supported. That’s the promise of treating female reproductive aging not as an afterthought, but as a central lever for women’s health.

If you’ve ever watched a mother, sister, partner, or friend push through symptoms with too few answers, you know why this matters. Supporting research on women’s reproductive longevity is about more than extending fertility: it’s about safeguarding women’s health, independence, vitality, and longevity. Your contribution accelerates discoveries that can transform the lives of millions of women today and help future generations.