DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i06.053

Pages: 2582-2589

Autonomic nerve function status may be changed during different phases of menstrual cycle due to fluctuations of serum gonadal hormones level. This alteration in autonomic nerve functions may affect cardiovagal control. To study the variation of Sympathetic function tests during different Phases of menstrual cycle in young healthy females. The present study was carried out on 50 healthy female subjects with normal menstrual cycles between the ages of 18 to 25 years. Various non-invasive Sympathetic function tests during different phases of menstrual cycle were performed that include isometric handgrip exercise test and postural challenge test including resting blood pressure. The results were analysed using ANOVA and student’s paired-t test. During the menstrual cycle, we found that there is a significant increase in the resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the luteal phase as compared to menstrual and follicular phase. The statistically significant differences in the blood pressure parameters like blood pressure response to isometric handgrip test and postural variation in blood pressure were found between all the phases, with higher values towards the luteal phase. The study concludes that sympathetic activity is highest during luteal phase and lowest in the follicular phase as compared to menstrual phase. This higher sympathetic activity may be correlated with higher estrogen and progesterone levels during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle.