Review, 1998
How does the menstrual cycle affect other medical conditions?
Many medical conditions worsen at specific points in the menstrual cycle because of sudden changes in hormone levels. This includes migraines, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes.
What they did
Review of peer-reviewed English-language scientific literature examining how menstrual cycle phases affect various medical conditions. Focus was on diagnosis and treatment of conditions that flare at specific times in the cycle.
What they found
Worsening of certain medical conditions at specific menstrual cycle phases is well-recognized. Abrupt changes in ovarian hormones at ovulation and before the period may account for these flares. Medical suppression of ovulation using GnRH agonists (hormone-blocking drugs) can help diagnose and treat severe, recurrent cycle-related disease flares.
What it means for you
Women with chronic medical conditions should track their symptoms on a menstrual calendar to see if they worsen at certain cycle times. If they do, asking a doctor about hormone-suppressing treatment may help. This is a summary of existing knowledge, not new research.
6
Medical conditions reviewed (migraine, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, IBS, diabetes)
2
Key cycle phases with hormone changes (ovulation and premenstrual)
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of the menstrual cycle on medical disorders
- Authors
- Case AM, Reid RL
- Journal
- Archives of internal medicine
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Review of GnRH agonist use for managing cycle-related disease flares
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1001/archinte.158.13.1405
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2001
Do common health conditions get worse at certain times in your menstrual cycle?
Systematic review, 2023
What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?
Review, 2000
Do common diseases get worse before a woman's period?
Cohort study, 2006
How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated?
Survey study, 1988
Do women with premenstrual syndrome have abnormal opioid hormone activity during the menstrual cycle?
Study, 1986
Do women with menstrually-related migraine have different hormone levels than women with epilepsy?