Abstract

Background: Premenopause is a term that encompasses the entire reproductive period up to final menstrual period, whereas menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation. Menopause is ‘‘burning out of ovaries.’’ After menopause, the primordial follicles become atretic; hence, the ovaries fail completely to produce estrogen. The presence of estrogen receptors in the heart, vascularsmoothmuscles,andautonomicbrainstemcentersestablishesaprobableparticipationintheregulationofcardiovascular system.Aimsand
Objective:Tocomparetheautonomicfunctiontestsinpremenopausalandpostmenopausalwomen.Materials andMethods: Theautonomic function tests in 60 premenopausal women (25–45 years) and 60 postmenopausal women (45–60 years) were compared. The following parameters were studied: (i) body mass index (BMI); (ii) waist–hip ratio (WHR); (iii) Parasympathetic function tests—(a) heart rate response to postural change (30:15 ratio), (b) heart rate variation during deep breathing, and (c) Valsalva maneuver test; and iv) sympathetic function tests—(a) orthostatic tolerance test, (b) sustained isometrichandgriptest,and(c)coldpressortest.Result:(1)BMIandWHRsignificantlyincreasedinthepostmenopausalwomen whencomparedwiththepremenopausalwomen.(2)The30:15ratiosignificantlydecreasedinthepostmenopausalwomenwhen comparedwiththepremenopausalwomenwhereasheartratevariationduringdeepbreathingandValsalvamaneuvertestdidnot show any significant change. (3) All the sympathetic function test results significantly increased in the postmenopausal women when compared with premenopausal women.Conclusion: Thisfinding showed an increased tendency of obesity and autonomic imbalance with sympathetic overactivity in the postmenopausal women when compared with the premenopausal women.