Abstract

Background: Menstrual cycle involves three phases: Menstrual, follicular, and luteal which are regulated by the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone from the ovary, and also by the gonadotropins – leutinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary. Fluctuations in hormone levels could be associated with autonomic function modulations. There are very few studies related to autonomic function modulation during different phases of menstrual cycle. Aims and
Objective: The present study was, therefore, taken up to look into the difference in mean sympathetic autonomic parameters during proliferative and secretory phases of menstrual cycle.
Materials and Methods: A total of 120 healthy young adult female volunteers were recruited among the students of KIMS, KINS, and KIDS. 20 students who were in the bleeding phase of their cycle were excluded from the study. The mean age, heights, and weight of the subjects were 18.9 ± 0.70 years, 156.6 ± 5.25 cm, and 53.7 ± 8.63 kg, respectively. The electrocardiogram was recorded and sympathetic parameters were measured. A statistical analysis was performed by STATA software 15.1.
Results: There was a significant increase in the parameters such as resting heart rate in beats per minute (≤0.05), fall in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (↓SBP in mm of Hg) on standing, and rise in diastolic (DBP) (↑DBP in mm of Hg) on sustained hand grip (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed an increase in the sympathetic modulation during the secretory phase of menstrual cycle.