Physiological Changes Accompanying Menstrual Cycle in Japanese Females

Abstract

Since disorders of autonomic nervous system during menstruation have often been discussed, the authoress studied the circulatory function, especially regulatory function on blood pressure in Japanese females as referred to the monthly cycle.Daily observations of pulse rate, resting blood pressure and postural blood pressure reflex were performed for 57 days in 9 girl students. The result obtained was as follows.1. Resting blood pressure of pre- and intramenstrual periods was found in some cases, more unstable than that in postmenstrual period. But, taken as a whole, no signifant difference was found.2. Acceleration of pulse rate in premenstrual period is probably resulted from a secondary influence accompaning high temperature.3. Marked intramenstural retardation of the recovery in blood pressure aftar postural changes was found in 8 cases out of 9, of which 5 cases showed also premenstrual retardation.4. Circulatory function of the girls, who were experiencing regular menstruation, was fairly well regulated at resting condition. When, however, they were subjected to dynamic postural chauges, they revealed reduced regulatory function on blood pressure.