Menstrual Cycle Changes Research Articles

1056 Reduced Symptoms and Visceral Sensitivity Is Related to Menstrual Cycle Changes in IBS

Background: Non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP) is one of the most common discharge diagnoses from the emergency department (ED). In many patients an underlying disease is never discovered and the symptoms are often considered functional. NSAP has been associated with depression and headaches, which have both been shown to be exacerbated by exposure to air pollutants. Aim: We studied whether acute exposure to air pollution was independently associated with ED visits for NSAP. Methods: We identified 95,173 patients who visited an Edmonton area ED between April 1, 1992 and March 31, 2002 and were recorded with an ICD-9 code for NSAP (789.0X). We replicated our study by identifying 25,852 ED visits for NSAP at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2002. Environmental data were used to calculate the daily mean concentrations for ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particles <10 (PM10) and <2.5 (PM2.5) micrometers. We performed a timeseries analysis using generalized linear mixed hierarchical models to estimate the percentage value of changes in the relative risk (%RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with an increase in the interquratile range (IQR) of SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM10, and PM2.5 after adjusting for temperature and humidity. Estimates whose 95% CI did not cross 0 were significant. Stratified analyses investigated differential effects by age and gender. Findings: Nearly 2/3 of ED visits for NSAP were by women and the majority of women presented in adolescence and early adulthood. PM10 was significantly associated with NSAP patients aged 15 to 24 years in both Edmonton (%RR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 5.4) and Montreal (%RR = 8.0; 95% CI: 2.8, 13.5). In women aged 15 to 24 years CO, NO2, and PM10 were positively associated with NSAP in Edmonton [%RR=2.5 (95% CI: 0.4, 4.5); %RR=3.2 (95% CI: 0.4, 6.0); and %RR=3.2 (95% CI: 0.8, 5.6), respectively] and Montreal [%RR =6.0 (95% CI: 2.4, 9.8); %RR=8.2 (95% CI: 2.8, 13.8); and %RR=9.2 (95% CI: 3.4 15.4), respectively]. In contrast, O3 was negatively associated with NSAP in women aged 15 to 24 years in Edmonton (%RR=-4.7; 95% CI: -8.0, -1.4) and Montreal (%RR=-10.6; 95% CI: -16.7, -4.0). Interpretation: Women aged 15 to 24 years were more likely to present to EDs with NSAP when ambient concentrations of CO, NO2, and PM10were elevated. In contrast, O3 exposure appeared to be negatively associated with NSAP. These findings were identified in two geographically distinct metropolitan Canadian cities.

Blood ghrelin, resistin, and adiponectin concentrations during the normal menstrual cycle

To investigate changes of ghrelin, resistin, and adiponectin levels in the circulation during the normal menstrual cycle. Longitudinal study. The study was conducted at a university hospital. Eight healthy normally cycling women. The women were observed during a whole menstrual cycle. Daily blood samples were taken every morning, after overnight fasting, from day 2 of the cycle until the next menstrual period. Plasma acylated and unacylated ghrelin and serum resistin, adiponectin, FSH, LH, E(2), and P levels were measured in all blood samples. In all women serum FSH, LH, E(2), and P levels, normalized to the midcycle peak LH value, showed the typical changes of the normal menstrual cycle. Acylated and unacylated ghrelin, resistin, and adiponectin levels did not change significantly during the whole menstrual cycle. The present study shows for the first time that plasma ghrelin and serum resistin levels do not change significantly during the normal menstrual cycle. It is also confirmed that serum adiponectin levels remain stable throughout the cycle. It is suggested that ovarian steroid dynamics during the cycle have no effect on the secretion of these substances.

Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate: an update

Depo-Provera is a contraceptive approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1992 and used worldwide by more than 90 million women. Despite the fact that progestins are endogenous hormones that are secreted by the body, its excess might lead to detrimental health effects. Whether progestins as contraceptives are friends or foes is a questionable matter. In this manuscript, we drive the attention to both usage and side effects Depo-Provera. Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a highly effective, convenient non-daily hormonal contraceptive option that has been available worldwide for many years. The experience with DMPA provides a large body of long-term data regarding the efficacy and safety of this contraceptive method; this long-term experience has established that the use of DMPA does not increase the risk of cardiovascular events, breast cancer, other gynecologic malignancy, or postmenopausal fracture; however, patients are often more concerned about the relatively immediate effects of contraceptives such as potential changes in menstrual cycle, body weight, and mood disturbances. Concerns about such issues may lead to reluctance to initiate therapy or premature discontinuation. Counseling and understanding of women's concerns and experiences using Depo-Provera is important and could help health care providers redesign counseling strategies to improve contraceptive continuation and improve patient adherence.

The Morning after the Night Before

Benefits to females of short-term mating have recently been identified, and it has been suggested that women have evolved adaptations for this strategy. One piece of evidence supporting such a female adaptation would be that women find the experience of a one-night stand as affectively positive as men. Individuals (N = 1,743) who had experienced a one-night stand were asked to rate aspects of their "morning after" feelings (six positive and six negative). Women were significantly more negative and less positive than men. Although women did not especially view these relationships as a prelude to long-term relationships, they felt greater regret than men about having been "used." Extra-pair copulations were rated more negatively, but not less positively, than singles' experiences. There was no interaction between gender and mated status on positivity or negativity. Although, in terms of subsequent affective response, women do not seem well adapted to casual sexual encounters, it may be important to distinguish impelling sexual motivation preceding intercourse from later evaluations of the event. Menstrual cycle changes may also be important in altering the strength and target of sexual motivation.

Human leukocyte antigen-G, a ligand for the natural killer receptor KIR2DL4, is expressed by eutopic endometrium only in the menstrual phase

To investigate menstrual cycle changes in expression by eutopic endometrium of a nonclassic human leukocyte antigen, HLA-G, which binds to the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) 2DL4 (CD158d) on natural killer (NK) cells. Such antigens have been linked to endometriosis. Case-control study. University hospital. We examined 20 Japanese women undergoing hysterectomy for endometriosis and 17 undergoing hysterectomy for myoma. Immunohistochemical HLA-G staining of eutopic endometrium and peritoneal fluid (PF) cells from women with and without endometriosis. Flow cytometric analysis of PF NK cells from women with and without endometriosis. HLA-G staining in eutopic endometrium was quantified by image analysis. The KIR2DL4-expressing NK cells in PF were investigated by flow cytometry. The HLA-G was expressed by eutopic endometrium only in the menstrual phase and not in the late proliferative or secretory endometrium. Intensity of HLA-G staining did not differ significantly between women with and without endometriosis. The HLA-G- expressing cells were detected in PF during the menstrual period. These cells are morphologically and flow cytometrically different from mesothelial cells and NK cells. The HLA-G expression is observed in eutopic endometrium only during the menstrual phase, and no differences were observed between women with and without endometriosis. Epithelial cells bearing HLA-G may enter the peritoneal cavity during retrograde menstruation, allowing the antigen to react locally with KIR2DL4.

Ovarian hormones and binge eating: exploring associations in community samples

Significant associations between changes in ovarian hormones and binge eating are present across the menstrual cycle in women with bulimia nervosa. However, no study has examined these relationships in a non-clinical sample, despite the need for these data for designing risk-factor studies. In study 1, we modified several continuous measures of binge eating and identified those that were most sensitive to menstrual-cycle fluctuations in a non-clinical sample of 10 women who completed measures for 35 days. In study 2, we explored associations between ovarian hormones and binge-eating scores in nine women who completed these same measures for 65 days and provided daily saliva samples for assays of estradiol and progesterone concentrations. In study 1, the Emotional Eating subscale of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire exhibited superior reliability and was most sensitive to predicted menstrual-cycle changes in binge eating (i.e. increased scores in the mid-luteal/premenstrual compared with follicular/ovulatory phases). In study 2, this scale showed predicted inverse associations with estradiol and positive associations with progesterone across the menstrual cycle that could not be accounted for by changes in negative affect. Associations between ovarian hormones and binge eating are robust and present in clinical and non-clinical samples. Findings support the ability to examine the role of ovarian hormones as risk factors for binge eating in large-scale prospective studies and twin studies.

Seasonal Changes in Urinary Prostate‐Specific Antigenic Activity in Male Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscaa fuscata)

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is usually detected in male adult urine and semen according to the Tanner stage development of males from birth to adolescence. To further study the pituitary-testicular axis in males, we determined urinary PSA levels in primates. Urinary PSA was detected with the use of anti-human PSA monoclonal antibody in male adult Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscaa fuscata) of seasonal breeding status. PSA activity in aseasonal animals (crab-eating macaques, Macaca fascisularis) did not change throughout the year; however, alterations in PSA activity were observed in Japanese macaques during breeding season, with the highest levels observed between October and January, the lowest levels between January and June, and a gradual increase in PSA activity observed from August until October. Although primate urinary PSA produces 2 polypeptide bands of approximately 55 and 33 kd, in addition to a band corresponding to human urinary PSA, the 33-kd polypeptide band was less pronounced during nonbreeding season in Japanese macaques. Urinary testosterone (T) levels in seasonally breeding animals (Japanese macaques) changed in parallel with urinary PSA levels. When urinary PSA and T levels were compared among animals during the breeding season (from October to February) and the nonbreeding season (from March to September), significantly increased PSA and T levels were observed during the breeding season. Furthermore, PSA and T levels in a monkey housed in a cage placed between 2 female cages were elevated compared with other monkeys. Increased PSA activity was observed concurrent with menstrual blood loss in females. These results suggest a link between PSA activity and testosterone levels, which could be influenced by changes in the female menstrual cycle.

Investigation of age, sex and menstrual stage variation in human cerumen lipid composition by high performance thin layer chromatography

The objective of the study was to correlate quantitative changes in the lipid composition of human cerumen with changes in age, sex and menstrual cycle stage. Cerumen samples were collected from the external ear canal and analysed using sequential, one dimensional, high performance thin layer chromatography. The following age groups of both sexes were investigated: one to 10 years; 11-18 years; 19-40 years; and 40 years and over. Additionally, cerumen samples from subjects in three stages of the menstrual cycle were compared. In the cerumen samples, the peak values for wax ester and cholesterol occured between the ages of one and 10 years for both sexes. However, squalene and triglyceride content reached maximum levels at puberty. Men aged 19-40 years had a significantly greater percentage of cerumen lipid squalene content than women from the same age group; however, their cholesterol content was found to be lower. Regarding the various menstrual cycle stages, cerumen samples taken at the follicular stage from women aged 19-40 years had a significantly lower free fatty acids content, and higher cholesterol and squalene levels, compared with samples taken in the luteal or menstrual stages. The proportions of the lipid constituents of cerumen varied with age, sex and menstrual stage. In cerumen, the main lipid constituent stimulated at puberty appears to be squalene, not wax esters as reported for sebum. The relevance of lipid constituents to cerumen's protective role is discussed.

Physiological changes of the human uterine myometrium during menstrual cycle: Preliminary evaluation using BOLD MR imaging

To investigate the T2* values within the junctional zone and outer uterine myometrium and their changes during the menstrual cycle, and thus to evaluate their physiologic changes on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) was used to acquire T2*-weighted images (TR/TE = 1000 msec/23-150 msec) from 15 healthy females with a 1.5-T magnet. T2* values of both junctional zone and outer uterine myometrium were measured within a single breathhold and during three menstrual cycle phases (menstrual, periovulatory, and luteal phase). Signal intensities of uterine myometrium on T2-weighted images were also evaluated. T2* could successfully be calculated in 13 subjects. T2* values for the junctional zone were significantly lower than those of the outer myometrium at every phase(P < 0.001), and T2* values of both junctional zone (P < 0.05) and outer (P < 0.01). Myometrium in the menstrual phase was significantly lower than those in the other phases. On T2-weighted images, the signal intensity of the junctional zone was significantly lower than outer myometrium in every phase (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference among menstrual cycle phases in both layers (P > 0.05). This preliminary study suggested that menstrual cycle changes of the uterine myometrium were shown by BOLD imaging. BOLD MR imaging may be an potential modality to investigate physiologic changes of the uterine myometrium during the menstrual cycle.

P20.11: Physiological changes of the menstrual cycle assessed by 3D/4D vaginal ultrasonography

P20.11: Physiological changes of the menstrual cycle assessed by 3D/4D vaginal ultrasonography

Low Back Pain in a Collegiate Swimmer

HISTORY: 21 year-old female collegiate swimmer with several weeks of left sided low back pain insidious in onset. She reports the symptoms started after running during practice and initially only recurred during land training. Symptoms worsened over time and began to occur with pushing of the wall while swimming and during backstroke. Symptoms were described as sharp aching pain localized to the left side of the lower back with occasional radiation to the left posterior and lateral thigh. She also reported one episode of numbness and tingling down the lateral aspect of her left thigh. A few days of rest, NSAIDS, and PT initially helped to improve her symptoms. She returned to swimming without problems for approximately one week. She then restarted lifting and running and her symptoms returned within a few days. She denied any recent change in menstrual cycle, although she had a history of irregular periods during her junior year. She denied any recent weight loss and in fact reported a recent 10 pound weight gain. She denied any history of stress fracture. She reported a history low back pain as a teenager (she had a history of spondylolysis) and commented that “this feels different”. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Gross examination of the back revealed normal contour, no gross deformities, no leg length discrepancy. Range of motion was normal, there was no pain with full active range of motion. There was moderate tenderness with palpation over the left side of the sacrum. No tenderness over the spinous processes. No reproduction of symptoms with FABER. Gaenslen's Test was negative, stork test was negative. Straight leg raise negative. There was reproduction of her symptoms with hopping on the affected side. Lower extremity strength was 5/5 B DTR's 2+ on left, 3+ on right, sensation was intact. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis Inflammatory spondyloarthropathy Piriformis Syndrome Sacroiliitis Sacroiliac Sprain Herniated disc Musculoskeletal pain Stress Fracture TEST AND RESULTS: X-ray L-spine (9/14/2005) – spondylolysis at L4 & L5 MRIL-spine (10/4/2005)- abnormal signal of the left sacrum, pars defect L4&L5 causing minimal spondylolysis, small L4/L5 disk herniation MRI sacrum/pelvis (10/17/2005) – fracture of the left sacral ala with extension into the SI joint posteriosuperiorly with the remainder of its coarse parallel to the SI joint. FINAL WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Sacral Stress Fracture TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES: Activity Modification – no weight bearing exercise Returned to swimming as tolerated Discussion of nutritional factors and offseason training regimen

Phasic menstrual cycle effects on the control of breathing in healthy women

This study examined the effects of menstrual cycle phase on ventilatory control. Fourteen eumenorrheic women were studied in the early follicular (FP; 1-6 days) and mid-luteal (LP; 20-24 days) phase of the menstrual cycle. Blood for the determination of arterial PCO(2) (PaCO(2)) , plasma strong ion difference ([SID]), progesterone ([P(4)]), and 17beta-estradiol ([E(2)]) concentrations were obtained at rest. Subjects performed a CO(2) rebreathing procedure that included prior hyperventilation and maintenance of iso-oxia to evaluate central and peripheral chemoreflex, and nonchemoreflex drives to breathe. Resting PaCO(2) and [SID] were lower; minute ventilation (V (E)), [P(4)] and [E(2)] were higher in the LP versus FP. Within the LP, significant correlations were observed for PaCO(2) with [P(4)], [E(2)] and [SID]. Menstrual cycle phase had no effect on the threshold or sensitivity of the central and/or peripheral ventilatory chemoreflex response to CO(2). Both (V (E)) and the ventilatory response to hypocapnia (representing nonchemoreflex drives to breathe) were approximately 1L/min greater in the LP versus FP accounting for the reduction in PaCO(2) . These data support the hypothesis that phasic menstrual cycle changes in PaCO(2) may be due, at least in part, to the stimulatory effects of [P(4)], [E(2)] and [SID] on ventilatory drive.

Depressed mood symptoms during the menopausal transition: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study

Aim To describe patterns of depressed mood during the menopausal transition (MT) and to investigate relationships between patterns of depressed mood and MT stages.Methods Women during MT and early postmenopause rated depressed mood from 0 to 4 in a 3-day diary. Variables were percentage days with zero ratings, days with ratings of 3 or 4, and slope of ratings over time. Cluster analysis was used.Results Six distinct clusters were identified for 164 women. The three largest clusters (n = 134) had depressed mood ratings of zero (93% of days, 73%, 50%, respectively). Ratings of 3 or 4 were infrequent for these three clusters (0%, 3%, 9%, respectively). The three smallest clusters (n = 30) had zero ratings for 32% of days, 14% and 8%, respectively. The fourth cluster had 16% rated 3 or 4 with a positive slope. The fifth and sixth clusters had 23% and 6% of days at 3 or 4 with a negative slope. MT stage was not related to depressed mood ratings. Most women did not have depressed mood during the MT. Of those who did, some experienced improvement.Implications The majority of women for the majority of the time experienced MT without a high severity of depressed mood while a small group of women had mood worsening over time and others improved. Depressed mood that occurs during the MT should not be attributed automatically to menstrual cycle changes or normative changes. Instead, features of a woman's life that contribute to depression should also be considered.

Longitudinal evaluation of perimenopausal bone loss: Effects of different low dose oral contraceptive preparations on bone mineral density

Objectives To evaluate the pattern of mineral density in eumenorrhoic and oligomenorrhoic perimenopausal women, and assess the effects of different low dose oral contraceptives (OC) on bone metabolism and spine bone density. Methods Spine bone density was evaluated in a longitudinal 2-year follow-up, randomized, unblinded, uncontrolled clinical trial conducted in healthy, normally menstruating perimenopausal women, perimenopausal oligomenorrhoic women and in perimenopausal oligomenorrhoic women treated with an oral contraceptive containing 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol plus 0.15 mg desogestrel, 0.100 mg levonorgestrel, 0.75 mg of gestodene ( n = 15 in each group). The results were analyzed by factorial or repeated measures analysis of variance, as appropriate. Results During the observation period, in normal menstruating women there were no changes in menstrual cycle, plasma FSH and estradiol levels, and spine bone density. In oligomenorrhoic untreated women an increase in cycle length, with a concomitant decrease in plasma estradiol and an increase in plasma FSH levels were evidenced ( p < 0.05). In this group a significant decrease in bone density ( p < 0.05) occurred. In OC-treated women, a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in bone density was observed, with no differences among different groups. Conclusion Different progestins used in OC preparations do not modify the bone sparing effect of perimenopausal OC administration avoiding the decrease in bone density.

Prevalence of memory loss complaints and other symptoms associated with the menopause transition: A community survey

Complaints of memory loss are increasingly noted as part of the constellation of symptoms experienced in the menopause transition. Studies evaluating such complaints in this population have yielded varying results. The aim of this study was to determine if complaints of memory loss are a component of the menopause transition and a part of the menopausal symptom complex in a population of women not selected for menopausal symptoms. Faculty members of a Long Island, New York, school district were asked to participate ina survey of menopausal symptoms. Demographic data were analyzed using chi(2) statistics. The presence or absence of memory complaints, hot flashes/night sweats, vaginal dryness, depression, reduced libido, and incontinence were analyzed as dichotomous variables in a logistic regression analysis after adjusting for demographic differences. Seventy-two percent (375/521) of the faculty members in the school district were eligible;of these, 217 (58%) completed the survey. After excluding pregnant women, those with hysterectomies or other nonmenopausal causes of amenorrhea, and those aged <30 or >60 years, 151 women were included in the analysis. Of these, 103 (68%) were experiencing natural menopause or perimenopause and 48 (32%) had no changes in menstrual cycle (the comparison group). The menopausal women were significantly older than the women in the comparison group (mean [SD] 51.2 [5.0] years vs 39.6 [7.2] years; P < 0.001), and they were more likely to be white than the women in the comparison group (P < 0.001). Menopausal women were several-fold more likely to complain of memory loss (odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2-8.8; P < 0.02), hot flashes/night sweats (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.4-13.3; P < 0.01), and reduced libido (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.3-15.7; P < 0.02) than were women in the comparison group, after adjusting for differences in age and race. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of depression, vaginal dryness, or incontinence. In our exploratory survey, complaints of memory loss were a part of the symptom complex of the menopause transition, as were hot flashes and reduced libido. Longitudinal followup of women with these symptoms may be helpful in understanding the menopause transition in women.

Combined lifestyle modification and metformin in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicentre study

It has been reported that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) benefit from metformin therapy. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2), oligo-/amenorrhoeic women with PCOS. Metformin (850 mg) twice daily was compared with placebo over 6 months. All received the same advice from a dietitian. The primary outcome measures were: (i) change in menstrual cycle; (ii) change in arthropometric measurements; and (iii) changes in the endocrine parameters, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. A total of 143 subjects was randomized [metformin (MET) = 69; placebo (PL) = 74]. Both groups showed significant improvements in menstrual frequency [median increase (MET = 1, P < 0.001; PL = 1, P < 0.001)] and weight loss [mean (kg) (MET = 2.84; P < 0.001 and PL = 1.46; P = 0.011)]. However, there were no significant differences between the groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the independent variables (metformin, percentage of weight loss, initial BMI and age) in order to predict the improvement of menses. Only the percentage weight loss correlated with an improvement in menses (regression coefficient = 0.199, P = 0.047, odds ratio = 1.126, 95% CI 1.001, 1.266). There were no significant changes in insulin sensitivity or lipid profiles in either of the groups. Those who received metformin achieved a significant reduction in waist circumference and free androgen index. Metformin does not improve weight loss or menstrual frequency in obese patients with PCOS. Weight loss alone through lifestyle changes improves menstrual frequency.

Letters to the Editor

Objective: We describe a 5-year prospective study of reproductive aging, and present analyses of steroid hormone and menstrual cycle changes with age. Design: Participants were college-educated white women, primarily of northern European ancestry, recruited from the Tremin Research Program on Women's Health (n = 156, 25-58 years). In each of 5 consecutive years, they collected daily urine specimens for 6 months and recorded menstrual bleeds for all months. Urine specimens were assayed for estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PDG), urinary metabolites of estradiol and progesterone. Using multilevel models, we estimated hormone and cycle-length trajectories for individual women and within- and between-woman variance by age. Results: At the aggregate level, PDG declined beginning in the 30s, E1G increased into the 40s before declining, and cycle length became more variable with age. Individual-level models revealed substantial hormonal variation across women, in both absolute levels and rates of change. Most women showed declining El G by the late 40s, declining PDG in the 30s, and increasing mean cycle length in the 40s. Hormonal variation decreased with age; cycle length variation decreased and then increased. Within individual women, cycle lengths were highly variable while hormone levels were more stable. Women differed more from each other in hormone levels than for cycle lengths. Conclusions: Aggregate-level analyses show general changes in steroid hormones and cycle « length but cannot show variation within and across women. Individuals' cycle lengths were too variable to predict hormone levels. Clinicians should obtain more data on individual women's hormonal patterns when determining fertility or menopause treatments.

Monitoring reproductive aging in a 5-year prospective study: aggregate and individual changes in steroid hormones and menstrual cycle lengths with age

We describe a 5-year prospective study of reproductive aging, and present analyses of steroid hormone and menstrual cycle changes with age. Participants were college-educated white women, primarily of northern European ancestry, recruited from the Tremin Research Program on Women's Health (n = 156, 25-58 years). In each of 5 consecutive years, they collected daily urine specimens for 6 months and recorded menstrual bleeds for all months. Urine specimens were assayed for estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PDG), urinary metabolites of estradiol and progesterone. Using multilevel models, we estimated hormone and cycle-length trajectories for individual women and within- and between-woman variance by age. At the aggregate level, PDG declined beginning in the 30s, E1G increased into the 40s before declining, and cycle length became more variable with age. Individual-level models revealed substantial hormonal variation across women, in both absolute levels and rates of change. Most women showed declining E1G by the late 40s, declining PDG in the 30s, and increasing mean cycle length in the 40s. Hormonal variation decreased with age; cycle length variation decreased and then increased. Within individual women, cycle lengths were highly variable while hormone levels were more stable. Women differed more from each other in hormone levels than for cycle lengths. Aggregate-level analyses show general changes in steroid hormones and cycle length but cannot show variation within and across women. Individuals' cycle lengths were too variable to predict hormone levels. Clinicians should obtain more data on individual women's hormonal patterns when determining fertility or menopause treatments.

Metallothionein and RCAS1 expression in comparison to immunological cells activity in endometriosis, endometrial adenocarcinoma and endometrium according to menstrual cycle changes

Objective. Endometrium is a specialized organ in which phenomena controlling the level of cell proliferation and apoptosis are marked. The aim of our study was to determine the presence of proteins involved in apoptosis and proliferation: RCAS1, MT and the number of CD56-positive cells and their activity to elucidate their possible role in the development of adenocarcinoma and endometriosis. Materials and methods. MT, RCAS1, CD56-positivity and CD69 expression were assessed in 55 tissue samples by Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods. Results. We found that endometrium during secretory menstrual cycle phase is characterized by significantly higher RCAS1 and higher MT expression than in proliferative phase. The number of CD56-positive cells and the CD69 antigen expression was significantly increased. Endometrial adenocarcinoma was characterized by significantly increased RCAS1 expression, while MT expression was comparable to the level found in the secretory phase. The number of CD56-positive cells was significantly decreased and their activity was comparable to the level found in the secretory phase. Endometriosis was accompanied by significantly lower RCAS1 and MT expressions, with lower number of CD-56 positive cells and lower expression of CD69 antigen in comparison to the secretory phase. Conclusions. The ability of endometrium to determine cytotoxic activity (RCAS1 expression changes) and high protection against DNA damage (MT expression) with concomitant changes in the number of immune cells and their activity, observed in normal endometrium during the menstrual cycle phases seems to be fundamental for pathological features of endometrial adenocarcinoma and endometriosis.

Biomedicine: Menstrual cycle changes the brain

Science NewsVolume 167, Issue 23 p. 366-366 Of Note Biomedicine: Menstrual cycle changes the brain First published: 25 September 2009 https://doi.org/10.1002/scin.5591672316AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume167, Issue234 June 2005Pages 366-366 RelatedInformation