Cohort study, 2006
Are menstrual symptoms linked to inflammation in the body?
Yes. A marker of low-grade inflammation in the blood correlated with mood, behavior, and physical symptoms during the menstrual cycle, independent of body weight and hormone levels.
What they did
15 measurements throughout one menstrual cycle in 15 women: 8 normal weight and 7 overweight, all with normal ovulation and no PMS. Fasting blood drawn at each time point, symptoms recorded daily using Freeman Daily Symptom Record. Measured hs-CRP (inflammation marker) and TNF-alpha.
What they found
hs-CRP levels and symptom scores varied significantly during menstrual cycle in parallel (P less than or equals 0.04). hs-CRP correlated with total symptom scores and mood, behavior, and physical symptoms, independently of weight and hormone levels (all P less than or equals 0.04). Mean hs-CRP correlated with mean symptom score (r equals 0.56, P equals 0.04). TNF-alpha did not show these associations.
What it means for you
Menstrual symptoms may be linked to low-grade inflammation occurring naturally during the cycle. This is interesting but very limited by small sample of only 15 women. It is unclear whether inflammation causes symptoms or symptoms cause inflammation.
15
measurements throughout menstrual cycle
r=0.56
correlation between inflammation and symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual cycle symptoms are associated with changes in low-grade inflammation
- Authors
- Puder JJ, Blum CA, Mueller B et al.
- Journal
- European journal of clinical investigation
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None (observational)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2362.2006.01591.x
Topics
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