-
European Journal of Sport Science Feb 2022The aim of the current study was to investigate iron metabolism in endurance trained women through the interleukin-6, hepcidin and iron responses to exercise along...
The aim of the current study was to investigate iron metabolism in endurance trained women through the interleukin-6, hepcidin and iron responses to exercise along different endogenous hormonal states. Fifteen women performed 40 min treadmill running trials at 75% vVO2peak during three specific phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (day 3 ± 0.85), mid-follicular phase (day 8 ± 1.09) and luteal phase (day 21 ± 1.87). Venous blood samples were taken pre-, 0 h post- and 3 h post-exercise. Interleukin-6 reported a significant interaction for menstrual cycle phase and time (=0.014), showing higher interleukin-6 levels at 3 h post-exercise during luteal phase compared to the early follicular phase (=0.004) and the mid-follicular phase (=0.002). Iron levels were significantly lower (=0.009) during the early follicular phase compared to the mid-follicular phase. However, hepcidin levels were not different across menstrual cycle phases (>0.05). The time-course for hepcidin and interleukin-6 responses to exercise was different from the literature, since hepcidin peak levels occurred at 0 h post-exercise, whereas the highest interleukin-6 levels occurred at 3 h post-exercise. We concluded that menstrual cycle phases may alter interleukin-6 production causing a higher inflammation when progesterone levels are elevated (days 19-21). Moreover, during the early follicular phase a significant reduction of iron levels is observed potentially due to a loss of haemoglobin through menses. According to our results, high intensity exercises should be carefully monitored in these phases in order not to further compromise iron stores.
Topics: Exercise; Female; Follicular Phase; Hepcidins; Humans; Interleukin-6; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Progesterone
PubMed: 33317411
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1853816 -
Archives of Women's Mental Health Feb 2017This article describes periodic monthly psychoses that develop during the early months of pregnancy. It is probable that these are a variety of menstrual psychosis.
This article describes periodic monthly psychoses that develop during the early months of pregnancy. It is probable that these are a variety of menstrual psychosis.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hysteria; Menstrual Cycle; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 27722950
DOI: 10.1007/s00737-016-0678-5 -
Journal of Addiction Medicine 2018Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States and co-use with tobacco is increasing. Preliminary studies have indicated that marijuana may... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States and co-use with tobacco is increasing. Preliminary studies have indicated that marijuana may suppress luteinizing hormone (LH) or shorten the luteal phase. Although the literature is mixed, these sex hormones may play a role in smoking cessation outcomes. This secondary subgroup analysis aims to explore the menstrual cycle of females who co-use marijuana and tobacco compared with females who only use tobacco in a sample of tobacco treatment-seeking individuals.
METHODS
Female participants, aged 18 to 50 years, who self-reported regular menstrual cycles and co-use of marijuana and tobacco were matched 1:3 by age to participants who only use tobacco. Length of the follicular and luteal phases was determined using First Response Urine LH tests. Wilcoxon 2-sample t tests were used to determine differences in phase lengths between groups.
RESULTS
Thirteen women who co-use marijuana and tobacco, and 39 women who only use tobacco were included in this analysis. Overall, participants were 37.3 ± 8.0 (SD) years of age, mostly Caucasian (67%), and smoked 12.6 ± 5.2 (SD) cigarettes per day. The luteal phase length among participants who co-use marijuana and tobacco (11.4 days ± 2.2 [SD]) was significantly shorter than among participants who only use tobacco (16.8 days ± 11.3 [SD]; P = 0.002). No differences were found in follicular phase length or menstrual cycle length.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that females who co-use marijuana and tobacco may have a shortened luteal phase in comparison with females who only use tobacco. Further studies are needed to better understand how marijuana use may impact the menstrual cycle and affect smoking outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Causality; Comorbidity; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Luteal Phase; Marijuana Smoking; Menstrual Cycle; Middle Aged; Minnesota; Self Report; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Smoking
PubMed: 29381494
DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000387 -
Ginekologia Polska 2017Endometrium is the only tissue in the human body subject to cyclic transformations under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. As estradiol and progesterone balance... (Review)
Review
Endometrium is the only tissue in the human body subject to cyclic transformations under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. As estradiol and progesterone balance throughout the physiological menstrual cycle changes, so does the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs). These endopeptides are responsible for keeping the balance between the process of synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. Thus, MMP's take part in sustaining physiological stability of the endometrium. A number of MMPs found in the endometrial tissue and their activity is related to menstrual cycle phase. This paper is an up-to-date review of literature of Medline database. The search was conducted for key words including "matrix metalloproteinases", "MMPs", "TIMPs" and "tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases". Over 1092 publications regarding interdependence and interplay between ovarian hormones and the role of various MMPs and their inhibitors in normal endometrial remodelling and in pathological conditions were analysed and critically reviewed.
Topics: Endometrium; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Menstrual Cycle; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
PubMed: 28727135
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2017.0063 -
Clinical Epigenetics 2016Alterations in endometrial DNA methylation profile have been proposed as one potential mechanism initiating the development of endometriosis. However, the normal...
BACKGROUND
Alterations in endometrial DNA methylation profile have been proposed as one potential mechanism initiating the development of endometriosis. However, the normal endometrial methylome is influenced by the cyclic hormonal changes, and the menstrual cycle phase-dependent epigenetic signature should be considered when studying endometrial disorders. So far, no studies have been performed to evaluate the menstrual cycle influences and endometriosis-specific endometrial methylation pattern at the same time.
RESULTS
Infinium HumanMethylation 450K BeadChip arrays were used to explore DNA methylation profiles of endometrial tissues from various menstrual cycle phases from 31 patients with endometriosis and 24 healthy women. The DNA methylation profile of patients and controls was highly similar and only 28 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between patients and controls were found. However, the overall magnitude of the methylation differences between patients and controls was rather small (Δβ ranging from -0.01 to -0.16 and from 0.01 to 0.08, respectively, for hypo- and hypermethylated CpGs). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of the methylation data divided endometrial samples based on the menstrual cycle phase rather than diseased/non-diseased status. Further analysis revealed a number of menstrual cycle phase-specific epigenetic changes with largest changes occurring during the late-secretory and menstrual phases when substantial rearrangements of endometrial tissue take place. Comparison of cycle phase- and endometriosis-specific methylation profile changes revealed that 13 out of 28 endometriosis-specific DMRs were present in both datasets.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study accentuate the importance of considering normal cyclic epigenetic changes in studies investigating endometrium-related disease-specific methylation patterns.
Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; DNA Methylation; Endometriosis; Endometrium; Epigenesis, Genetic; Female; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
PubMed: 26759613
DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0168-z -
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 -
Physiology & Behavior Oct 2017Sex differences and menstrual cycle influences have been investigated in a variety of cognitive abilities, but results regarding attention are comparably sparse. In the...
Sex differences and menstrual cycle influences have been investigated in a variety of cognitive abilities, but results regarding attention are comparably sparse. In the present study, 35 men and 32 naturally cycling women completed three attention tasks, which are commonly used in neuropsychological assessment situations. All participants completed two sessions, which were time-locked to the follicular (low progesterone) and luteal cycle phase (high progesterone) in women. The results reveal higher operation speed during sustained attention in men, but no sex differences in selected and divided attention. Menstrual cycle influences were observed on accuracy in all three tasks. During divided and sustained attention, for which a male advantage was previously reported, accuracy was higher during the early follicular compared to the mid-luteal cycle phase. Furthermore, during selected and sustained attention the learning effect from the first to the second test session was higher in women who started the experiment in their luteal cycle phase. These results suggest a possible role of progesterone in modulating the ability to focus on certain stimulus aspects, while inhibiting others and to sustain attention over a longer period of time.
Topics: Attention; Female; Humans; Learning; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Neuropsychological Tests; Sex Characteristics; Young Adult
PubMed: 28694156
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.07.012 -
Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and... 2016The menstrual cycle exhibits a pattern of repeated inflammatory activity. The present study aims to evaluate inflammatory and endothelial markers during the two phases...
BACKGROUND
The menstrual cycle exhibits a pattern of repeated inflammatory activity. The present study aims to evaluate inflammatory and endothelial markers during the two phases of a menstrual cycle.
METHODS
The study cohort consisted of 102 women with regular menstrual cycles. Inflammatory and endothelial markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6], pentraxin-3 [PTX-3], hs-C reactive protein [hs-CRP], sE-selectin, sP-selectin, intracellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules [ICAM-1 and VCAM-1] and cathepsins L, B and S) were measured during the early follicular and the late luteal phase of a normal menstrual cycle.
RESULTS
Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and hs-CRP were significantly higher during the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase (p < 0.001 respectively p = 0.025). The other inflammatory and endothelial markers, with the exception of cathepsin B, were higher, albeit not significantly, during the follicular phase.
CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory activity, expressed mainly by members of the pentraxin family, is higher during the early follicular compared to the luteal phase. This could be associated to menstruation but the exact mechanisms behind this pattern are unclear and might involve the ovarian hormones or an effect on hepatocytes.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Female; Follicular Phase; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Luteal Phase; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Young Adult
PubMed: 26963835
DOI: 10.3109/00365513.2015.1129670 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2021Most reproductive-aged women are exposed to fluctuating female steroid hormones due to the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptive use. This study investigated the...
Most reproductive-aged women are exposed to fluctuating female steroid hormones due to the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptive use. This study investigated the potential effect of the menstrual cycle and combined monophasic oral contraceptive cycle on various aspects of muscle performance. Thirty active females (12 with a natural menstrual cycle, 10 taking a high-androgenicity oral contraceptive and 8 taking a low-androgenicity oral contraceptive), aged 18 to 30 years, were tested three times throughout one menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle. Counter-movement jumps, bilateral hop jumps, handgrip strength, isometric knee extensor strength and isokinetic knee flexion and extension were assessed. Perceptual ratings of fatigue, muscle soreness, pain and mood were recorded. Most variables showed no significant changes over the menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle. However, for the menstrual cycle group, isokinetic knee flexion at 240° s, and time of flight in bilateral hopping and counter movement jumps showed better results during the mid-luteal phase compared with the late follicular phase. For the high-androgenicity oral contraceptive group, isokinetic knee flexion at 240° s was significantly higher in the late hormone phase compared with the early hormone phase. For the low-androgenicity oral contraceptive group, time of flight for the counter-movement jumps was lower in the late hormone phase compared with the early hormone phase. The findings indicate that faster and explosive aspects of muscle performance may be influenced by endogenous and exogenous female hormones.
Topics: Adult; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Female; Follicular Phase; Hand Strength; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Muscles
PubMed: 34682310
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010565 -
Age-Dependent and Seasonal Changes in Menstrual Cycle Length and Body Temperature Based on Big Data.Obstetrics and Gynecology Oct 2020To evaluate the effects of age and season on menstrual cycle length and basal body temperature (BBT). We also examined the effects of climate on cycle length and BBT,...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of age and season on menstrual cycle length and basal body temperature (BBT). We also examined the effects of climate on cycle length and BBT, taking into account Japanese geographic and social characteristics.
METHODS
In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from 6 million menstrual cycles entered into a smartphone application from 310,000 females from 2016 to 2017. Only those who entered more than 10 cycles in 2 years were included. Generalized estimation equations were used to adjust for confounding factors and for within-person correlations of multiple records. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, with age, external average temperature, precipitation amount, and sunshine hours as confounding factors.
RESULTS
The mean menstrual cycle length increased from age 15-23 years, subsequently decreased up to age 45 years, and then increased again. Average follicular phase body temperature showed no significant age-dependent changes, but luteal phase body temperature gradually increased up to 29 years and then stabilized and started to decrease after age 42 years. A significant association between external temperature and body temperature (follicular and luteal phase) was observed, though menstrual cycle length did not show such an association.
CONCLUSION
These results, derived from data self-entered into a smartphone application, revealed underrecognized age-dependent and seasonal changes in menstrual cycle length and BBT, which will contribute to a better understanding of female reproductive health in the modern world.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Big Data; Body Temperature; Data Collection; Female; Humans; Japan; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Reproductive Health; Retrospective Studies; Seasons; Smartphone; Time Factors; Women's Health
PubMed: 32925608
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003910