Study, 1989
Does heart rhythm change through the menstrual cycle?
In women without premenstrual syndrome, there's no clear difference in heart rhythm variation across different phases of the menstrual cycle. But in women with PMS, heart rhythm variation is lower during the middle and end of the cycle, which might reflect different nerve function.
What they did
20 women (average age 26.1 years) had their heart rhythm measured during five menstrual phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and premenstrual. The measure used was heart rhythm variation (coefficient of variation of R-R intervals). 11 women had premenstrual syndrome. All completed psychological tests about anxiety and depression.
What they found
For the 20 women overall, average heart rhythm variation was 5.2% with variation of about 1.9%. Heart rhythm variation tended to be lower in women in their 30s than in women in their 20s. Across the five cycle phases, heart rhythm variation showed no clear differences. However, in the 11 women with PMS, heart rhythm variation was lower during the ovulatory, luteal, and premenstrual phases. Anxiety and depression scores didn't change across the cycle.
What it means for you
Heart rhythm variation appears stable through the cycle in women without PMS, but women with PMS may have different nerve function during the middle and late cycle phases. Age also affects heart rhythm. Since the study is small and tested only one measure, we can't be sure how this relates to PMS or whether it's a cause or effect.
20
women with normal cycles
5.2%
average heart rhythm variation
11
women with PMS
About the study
- Original title
- [Changes in autonomic nerve function during the normal menstrual cycle measured by the coefficient of variation of R-R intervals]
- Authors
- Kondo M, Hirano T, Okamura Y
- Journal
- Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai zasshi
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- None - measurement of heart rhythm during different cycle phases
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2754282/
Topics
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