Lab study, 2017
Do physical changes happen before menstruation?
Yes. Before menstruation compared to after, women showed increased perceived stress, faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, weight gain, and slower reaction times.
What they did
The study measured 60 healthy women aged 18-22 during their premenstrual and postmenstrual phases. Researchers recorded heart rate, blood pressure, weight, how quickly they reacted to sounds and images, and their perceived stress level.
What they found
During the premenstrual period compared to after menstruation, women showed increases in perceived stress, pulse rate, blood pressure, weight, auditory reaction time, and visual reaction time.
What it means for you
These findings show that before menstruation, women's bodies show signs of stress and their nervous system works more slowly. Changes might come from hormonal shifts. The study is small and only included young healthy women, so findings may not apply to all women.
60
healthy women studied
18-22
age range in years
About the study
- Original title
- Analysis of perceived stress, cardiovascular and central nervous system changes before and after menstruation in the age group 18-22 years
- Authors
- Amita Pardeshi
- Journal
- International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Lab study
- Participants
- 60
- What was tested
- None. Researchers measured women during different cycle phases.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173578
Topics
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