--- title: Does a protein called IL-6 in the uterus change throughout the menstrual cycle? description: Yes. IL-6 levels in the uterus are low in the first half of the cycle and increase 5 to 10 times in the second half, especially around the time for pregnancy url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/endometrial-expression-and-secretion-of-interleukin-6-throughout-the-menstrual-2002/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a protein called IL-6 in the uterus change throughout the menstrual cycle? Study, 2002 # Does a protein called IL-6 in the uterus change throughout the menstrual cycle? Yes. IL-6 levels in the uterus are low in the first half of the cycle and increase 5 to 10 times in the second half, especially around the time for pregnancy implantation and before the period. Moderate study design 28 to 33 women undergoing hysterectomy ## What they did Collected uterine tissue and fluid from women undergoing hysterectomy. Researchers measured IL-6 in the tissue and fluid at different phases of the menstrual cycle using lab techniques. ## What they found IL-6 was low in the proliferative phase (first half of cycle) and increased progressively in the secretory phase (second half). Specifically, IL-6 protein levels increased 5 to 10 times from the mid-secretory to late secretory phase. This increase came from epithelial cells, stromal cells, and immune cells in the uterus. IL-6 receptor expression remained constant throughout the cycle. ## What it means for you IL-6 increases dramatically in the second half of the menstrual cycle and peaks just before the period. This may play a role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and in the premenstrual period, but we don't yet know what this means for PMS symptoms. 28-33 Women in study 5-10 fold IL-6 increase in late cycle ## About the study Original title Endometrial expression and secretion of interleukin-6 throughout the menstrual cycle Authors von Wolff M, Thaler CJ, Zepf C et al. Journal Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology Year 2002 Study design Study Participants 33 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/gye.16.2.121.129](https://doi.org/10.1080/gye.16.2.121.129) ## Topics [Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Interview study, 2017 What is the experience of living with PMDD and how well do doctors understand it? Interview study, 2017 What is it like to live with PMDD and how do you experience healthcare? Cohort study, 1996 Can hormones trigger PMS symptoms in women without ovaries or a uterus? Case-control study, 1985 Do women with PMS show different hormone patterns and ovulation timing after the corpus luteum is removed? Review, 2018 What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD? Review, 2018 Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗