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Current Opinion in Endocrinology,... Dec 2020This review seeks to evaluate the impact of environmental exposures on the menstrual cycle length detailing timing of exposure on pathophysiology. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review seeks to evaluate the impact of environmental exposures on the menstrual cycle length detailing timing of exposure on pathophysiology.
RECENT FINDINGS
Recent literature has examined the relationship between menstrual cycle length and environmental exposures including air pollutants, parabens, and polybrominated biphenyls.
SUMMARY
Research is limited but suggest importance of further research in evaluating environmental exposures and menstrual cycle length.
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation Disturbances; Time Factors
PubMed: 33027071
DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000579 -
Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England) Aug 2023The immune system plays an important role in mediating exercise responses and adaptations. However, whether fluctuating hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The immune system plays an important role in mediating exercise responses and adaptations. However, whether fluctuating hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle may impact these processes remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to compare baseline concentrations as well as exercise-induced changes in immune and inflammatory parameters between menstrual cycle phases. A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines using Pubmed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. Of the 159 studies included in the qualitative synthesis, 110 studies were used for meta-analysis. Due to the designs of the included studies, only the follicular and luteal phase could be compared. The estimated standardized mean differences based on the random-effects model revealed higher numbers of leukocytes (-0.48 [-0.73; -0.23], p < 0.001), monocytes (-0.73 [-1.37; -0.10], p = 0.023), granulocytes (-0.85 [-0.1.48; -0.21], p = 0.009), neutrophils (-0.32 [-0.52; -0.12], p = 0.001), and leptin concentrations (-0.37 [-0.5; -0.23], p = 0.003) in the luteal compared to the follicular phase at rest. Other parameters (adaptive immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules) showed no systematic baseline differences. Seventeen studies investigated the exercise-induced response of these parameters, providing some indications for a higher pro-inflammatory response in the luteal phase. In conclusion, parameters of innate immunity showed cycle-dependent regulation at rest, while little is known on the exercise responses. Due to a large heterogeneity and a lack of cycle phase standardization among the included studies, future research should focus on comparing at least three distinct hormonal profiles to derive more specific recommendations for exercise prescription.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Follicular Phase; Exercise; Inflammation; Immunity
PubMed: 37309068
DOI: 10.1111/apha.14013 -
Behavioural Brain Research May 2022The menstrual cycle is characterized partially by fluctuations of the ovarian hormones estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), which are implicated in the regulation of...
The menstrual cycle is characterized partially by fluctuations of the ovarian hormones estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), which are implicated in the regulation of cognition. Research on attention in the different stages of the menstrual cycle is eclectic with discrepancies in attention definitions, and the three attentional networks (alerting, orienting and executive) and their interaction were not explored during the menstrual cycle. In the current study, we used the ANT-I (attentional network test - interactions) to examine naturally cycling women (NC) and women using oral contraceptives (OC). We tested their performance at two time points that fit, in natural cycles, the follicular phase and the luteal phase. We found no differences in performance between the two time points (day 4 / day 18) for the OC group: the response pattern replicated known ANT-I findings. However, the NC group showed differences between the two time points. In the follicular phase, responses replicated known ANT-I results, but in the luteal phase, alertness did not interact with executive and orienting networks, resulting in a larger congruency effect (executive network) when attention was not oriented to the target in alerting and no alerting conditions. Results-driven exploratory regression analysis of E2 and P4 suggested that change in P4 from the follicular phase/day 4 to the luteal phase/day 18 was a mediator for the alerting effect found between groups. In conclusion, the alerting state, found with or without alertness manipulation, suggests that there is a progesterone-mediated activation of the alerting system during the luteal phase.
Topics: Attention; Estradiol; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Luteal Phase; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Progesterone
PubMed: 35231499
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113817 -
European Journal of Pain (London,... Nov 2015Reproductive hormones are implicated in moderating pain. Animal studies support both pronociceptive and antinociceptive actions of oestradiol and progesterone suggesting... (Review)
Review
Reproductive hormones are implicated in moderating pain. Animal studies support both pronociceptive and antinociceptive actions of oestradiol and progesterone suggesting that the net effect of these hormones on pain is complex and likely depends on the interaction between hormones and the extent of fluctuation rather than absolute hormone levels. Several clinical pain conditions show variation in symptom severity across the menstrual cycle. Though, there is still no consensus on whether the menstrual cycle influences experimental pain sensitivity in healthy individuals. Comprehensive literature searches on clinical and experimental pain across the menstrual cycle, as well as gonadal hormones and pain were performed using the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library. Full-text manuscripts were reviewed for relevancy and reference lists were cross-checked for additional relevant studies. Most of the more recent, well-controlled studies show that menstrual cycle phase has no effect on the perception of pain in healthy, pain-free women. Although recent studies investigating pain-related brain activation have shown differential activation patterns across the menstrual cycle in regions involved with cognitive and motor function, even in the absence of a behavioural pain response, suggesting that cognitive pain and bodily awareness systems are sensitive to menstrual cycle phase. The interaction between the gonadal hormones and pain perception is intricate and not entirely understood. We suggest further investigations on the association between female reproductive hormones and pain sensitivity by exploring the interaction between clinical and experimental pain and the hormone changes that characterize puberty, post-partum and the menopause transition.
Topics: Female; Gonadal Hormones; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Pain Perception
PubMed: 25899177
DOI: 10.1002/ejp.714 -
Journal of Ovarian Research Jul 2022Numerous studies have indicated that the level of the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), one of the main markers for the ovarian reserve, does not fluctuate throughout a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Numerous studies have indicated that the level of the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), one of the main markers for the ovarian reserve, does not fluctuate throughout a menstrual cycle, while some studies have rejected this finding. The purpose of this systematic and meta-analysis study is to consensus on all contradictory studies that have measured AMH levels throughout the menstrual cycle and to investigate the exact extent of AMH variation in a cycle.
METHODS
The protocol for this meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO before data extraction. Relevant studies were identified by systematic search in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar with no limitation on publication date. Longitudinal studies which have evaluated AMH levels in the follicular and luteal phases of an unstimulated (natural) menstrual cycle in healthy women without endocrinology or ovarian disorders were included. We used the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for assessing the quality of studies found eligible for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies involving 733 women with regular menstrual cycles were included. The results showed that the AMH level in the follicular phase was significantly higher than in the luteal phase (95% Cl = 0.11 [0.01 to 0.21]; p < 0.05) and it varies about 11.5% from the luteal phase. The analysis of studies which had also examined the ovulatory phase (n = 380) showed that the serum levels of AMH in the ovulatory phase (about 2.02 ng/ml) did not significantly vary compared to follicular (95% Cl = 0.11 [-0.10 to 0.33]; p = 0.30) and luteal (95% Cl = 0.06 [-0.08 to 0.20]; p = 0.43) phases.
CONCLUSIONS
According to the results of this study, AMH levels differ between follicular and luteal phases which might be due to ovarian response to the gonadotropins. It seems the phase of AMH measurement needs to be considered for interpretation of the serum AMH test.
Topics: Anti-Mullerian Hormone; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Ovarian Reserve; Transforming Growth Factor beta
PubMed: 35778760
DOI: 10.1186/s13048-022-01006-z -
Hormones and Behavior Mar 2020There is increasing evidence that reproductive hormones exert regulatory effects in the central nervous system that can influence behavioral, cognitive, perceptual,... (Review)
Review
There is increasing evidence that reproductive hormones exert regulatory effects in the central nervous system that can influence behavioral, cognitive, perceptual, affective, and motivational processes. These effects occur in adults and post-pubertal individuals, and can be demonstrated in humans as well as laboratory animals. Large changes in 17β-estradiol and progesterone occur over the ovarian cycle (i.e., the menstrual cycle) and afford a way for researchers to explore the central nervous system (CNS) effects of these hormones under natural physiological conditions. Increasingly, oral contraceptives are also being studied, both as another route to understanding the CNS effects of reproductive hormones and also as pharmacological agents in their own right. This mini-review will summarize the basic physiology of the menstrual cycle and essential facts about oral contraceptives to help novice researchers to use both paradigms effectively.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Behavioral Research; Contraceptives, Oral; Education, Continuing; Endocrinology; Female; Humans; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Research Personnel; Young Adult
PubMed: 31843564
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104655 -
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Jan 2019Sex differences in the abuse-related effects of alcohol have been demonstrated in the clinic and in preclinical animal models. Less is known about the influence of...
BACKGROUND
Sex differences in the abuse-related effects of alcohol have been demonstrated in the clinic and in preclinical animal models. Less is known about the influence of menstrual cycle phase on drinking.
METHODS
In this study, we examined the relationship between menstrual cycle phase and intake of ethanol (EtOH) in five adult female rhesus monkeys. Subjects consumed a 4% EtOH solution in their home cage 6 h per day, 5 days per week and pressed a lever to receive food pellets during the drinking session. Menstrual cycle was determined with vaginal swabs 5-7 days per week. To facilitate comparison with previous studies, the cycle was divided three different ways for analysis.
RESULTS
First, no significant difference was observed when EtOH intake was compared between phases defined as "follicular" (days 5-10) and "luteal" (19-24). Second, when the cycle was further divided into four phases [early follicular (days 1-7), late follicular (8-14), early luteal (15-21) and late luteal (22-next cycle)], significant differences were detected, with intake highest in phases that bracket menses and lowest in the late follicular phase. Finally, EtOH intake during "mid-cycle" (days 12-16) was significantly lower than during "menses" (days 1-5) and "late luteal" (last 5 days). Effect sizes were small to moderate, although absolute differences in EtOH intake (g/kg) were <15%. Food-maintained responding was not different across phases.
CONCLUSIONS
Menstrual cycle has modest but statistically significant and selective effects on EtOH drinking, with higher EtOH intake observed in the peri-menstrual period compared to the middle of the cycle.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Female; Follicular Phase; Luteal Phase; Macaca mulatta; Menstrual Cycle
PubMed: 30453105
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.11.001 -
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista... 2021This article systematically updates the literature on changes in visual functions during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle in women. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This article systematically updates the literature on changes in visual functions during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle in women.
OBJECTIVES
To update Guttridge's 1994 review of visual structures and functions associated with the menstrual cycle and broaden the search through psychophysical, neuroimaging and neurobehavioral measurements covering 1994-2020.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Narrative review conducted in a neurosciences and behavior laboratory in Brazil.
METHODS
The PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Answers and Google Scholar databases were searched. After screening and applying the eligibility criteria, 32 articles were examined. Through this analysis, the following information was extracted: (1) geographical distribution of the study; (2) sample size (according to age and phase of the menstrual cycle); (3) type of measurements according to psychophysical, neuroimaging and neurobehavioral instruments; (4) vision testing model; (5) visual subcategory evaluated; (6) categories of processed visual stimuli; and (7) main findings.
RESULTS
The menstrual phases give rise to significant changes in visual functions, including in relation to orientation and spatial attention, visual campimetry and visual sensitivity. These relate specifically to the follicular and luteal phases.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings theoretically expand the effects of menstrual cycles on visual functions found by Guttridge (1994). Despite some inconsistencies in the studies analyzed, it was found that visual processing during the follicular and luteal phases of the normal menstrual cycle of healthy women can explain physiological, cognitive, behavioral and social modulations.
Topics: Brazil; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle
PubMed: 34787299
DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0474.R2.03052021 -
Behavioural Brain Research Jan 2022Estradiol is an ovarian steroid hormone that peaks shortly before ovulation and significantly affects various brain regions and neurotransmitter systems, with similar... (Review)
Review
Estradiol is an ovarian steroid hormone that peaks shortly before ovulation and significantly affects various brain regions and neurotransmitter systems, with similar and differential effects with progesterone, another ovarian hormone. Studies investigating the neurocognitive processes during the menstrual cycle have focused on the early follicular phase (EFP) characterized by low estradiol and progesterone levels and the mid-luteal phase (MLP) with high estradiol and progesterone levels. However, most studies have failed to include the ovulatory phase, characterized by high estradiol and low progesterone levels. Given the various hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, we revisited studies suggesting that the menstrual cycle did not affect verbal and spatial abilities and observed that many contain mixed results. Comparing these studies makes it possible to identify relevant modulating factors, such as sample size, participant age, accurate selection of days for testing, asymmetrical practice effects, genetic polymorphisms, and task difficulty. More robust findings are related to improved mental rotation capacity during EFP with challenging tasks and differences in brain activation among menstrual cycle phases during the execution of spatial and verbal tasks. During MLP, less robust findings were observed, possibly modulated by the complex effects of the two hormones on the brain. In conclusion, we propose that it is crucial to include all three menstrual cycle phases and consider these modulating factors to avoid confounding findings.
Topics: Cognition; Estradiol; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Ovulation; Progesterone; Spatial Navigation
PubMed: 34560130
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113593 -
Sleep Oct 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Sleep; Menstruation; Affect
PubMed: 37058143
DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad102