scholarly journals Effect of sex, menstrual cycle phase, and monophasic oral contraceptive pill use on local and central arterial stiffness in young adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (2) ◽  
pp. H357-H365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey E. Priest ◽  
Ninette Shenouda ◽  
Maureen J. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Contraceptive Pill

Arterial stiffness is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Previous sex-based investigations of local and central stiffness report inconsistent findings and have not controlled for menstrual cycle phase in women. There is also evidence that sex hormones influence the vasculature, but their impact on arterial stiffness across a natural menstrual (NAT) or oral contraceptive pill (OCP) cycle has been understudied. This study sought to 1) examine potential sex differences in local and central stiffness, 2) compare stiffness profiles between NAT and OCP cycles, and 3) investigate the relationship between duration of OCP use and arterial stiffness. Sex hormone concentrations, β-stiffness index (local stiffness), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV (central stiffness)] were assessed in 53 healthy adults (22 ± 3 yr old, 20 men, 15 NAT women, and 18 OCP women). All participants were tested three times: men on the same day and time 1 wk apart, NAT women in menstrual, midfollicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, and OCP women in placebo, early active and late active pill phases. β-Stiffness was higher in men than NAT and OCP women ( P < 0.001), whereas cfPWV was similar between groups ( P = 0.09). β-Stiffness and cfPWV did not differ across or between NAT and OCP cycles ( P > 0.05 for both) and were not associated with duration of OCP use (β-stiffness: r = 0.003, P = 0.99; cfPWV: r = −0.26, P = 0.30). The apparent sex differences in local, but not central, stiffness highlight the importance of assessing both indexes in comparisons between men and women. Furthermore, fluctuating sex hormone levels do not appear to influence β-stiffness or cfPWV. Therefore, these stiffness indexes may need to be assessed during only one cycle phase in women in future investigations. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We observed higher local, but not central, arterial stiffness in men than women. We also demonstrated that there are no differences in arterial stiffness between naturally cycling women and women who use monophasic oral contraceptive pills, and that the duration of oral contraceptive pill use does not influence arterial stiffness. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/behind-the-bench-episode-2/ .

scholarly journals Fasted plasma asprosin concentrations are associated with menstrual cycle phase, oral contraceptive use and training status in healthy women

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Leonard ◽  
A. L. Shill ◽  
A. E. Thackray ◽  
D. J. Stensel ◽  
Nicolette C. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Training Status ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Hormone Levels ◽  
And Training

Abstract Purpose Asprosin, an orexigenic hormone that stimulates hepatic glucose release, is elevated in insulin resistance and associated with obesity. Plasma asprosin concentrations may also be related to female sex hormone levels; higher levels are reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but this may be related to peripheral insulin resistance also associated with PCOS. Clarification of female-specific factors influence on the plasma asprosin response is crucial for studies investigating asprosin. Therefore, this study determined the association of menstrual phase, oral contraceptive (OC) use (as a pharmacological influence on sex hormone levels) and training status (as a physiological influence on sex hormone levels) on plasma asprosin levels in pre-menopausal women. Methods Fasting plasma asprosin, 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone, were assessed in 32 healthy untrained and trained women with regular menstrual cycles (non-OC; n = 8 untrained, n = 6 trained) or using OC (n = 10 untrained, n = 8 trained) during early follicular, late follicular and mid-luteal menstrual phases (or the time-period equivalent for OC users). Results Asprosin was lower in OC (0.75 ± 0.38 ng mL−1) than non-OC users (1.00 ± 0.37 ng mL−1; p = 0.022). Across a cycle, asprosin was highest in the early follicular equivalent time-point in OC users (0.87 ± 0.37 ng mL−1) but highest in the mid-luteal phase in non-OC users (1.09 ± 0.40 ng mL−1). Asprosin concentrations varied more across a cycle in untrained than trained women, with higher concentrations in the early follicular phase compared to the late follicular and mid-luteal (training status-by-menstrual phase interaction p = 0.028). Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of considering OC use, menstrual cycle phase and to a lesser extent training status when investigating circulating asprosin concentrations in females.

The Influence of a Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill and Menstrual Cycle Phase on Digital Microvascular Haemodynamics

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Tooke ◽  
H. Tindall ◽  
G. P. McNicol
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Capillary Pressure ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Combined Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Digital Blood Flow

1. Nailfold capillary pressure, digital blood flow and skin temperature have been measured on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of the menstrual cycle in 10 women on a combined oral contraceptive pill and 10 control subjects with normal menstrual cycles. 2. Capillary pressure and digital blood flow were statistically significantly higher in the group taking an oral contraceptive pill compared with control subjects. 3. Capillary pressure values for women failed to show the same positive correlation with skin temperature previously described in normal men. 4. The results are interpreted as evidence for a powerful modulating influence of sex steroids on digital microvascular haemodynamics.

Fundamental Frequency Variations Across the Menstrual Cycle and the Use of an Oral Contraceptive Pill

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1033-1043
Author(s):  
Filipa M. B. Lã ◽  
Nuria Polo
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Sex Steroid Hormones ◽  
Sex Steroid ◽  
Contraceptive Pill ◽  
The Voice

Purpose Concentrations of sex steroid hormones—estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone—have been associated with premenstrual and menstrual vocal symptoms. However, the extent to which these symptoms may be reflected on acoustical features of the voice is still debated. This study investigates variations in fundamental frequency ( f o ) and related parameters in connected speech across phases of the menstrual cycle and during the use of a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Method Electrolaryngographic recordings were made, and blood samples were collected at three different phases of the menstrual cycle—menstrual, follicular, and luteal—for placebo and OCP use. These two conditions were blindly and randomly allocated in the study. Speaking f o (SFF), SFF standard deviation, SFF rate of change, SFF slope, maximum and minimum f o , and f o range were extracted for nine healthy females while reading a phrase from the Rainbow Passage. Concentrations of sex hormones were analyzed in serum. Nonparametric statistical tests were carried out to assess differences between phases and conditions. Results SFF, its standard deviation, and maximum f o were significantly different between phases of the menstrual cycle for placebo use only. Menstrual phase showed the lowest values. Maximum and minimum f o were significantly different between placebo and OCP use for menstrual and follicular phases, respectively. Conclusions Fluctuations in sex steroid hormones across the menstrual cycle alter f o in speech more than a particular hormonal concentration. OCP use seems to have a stabilizing effect on the voice relative to f o and related parameters in speech.

scholarly journals Menstrual Cycle Phases Influence on Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise in Endurance-Trained Females

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Beatriz Rael ◽  
Víctor Alfaro-Magallanes ◽  
Nuria Romero-Parra ◽  
Eliane Castro ◽  
Rocío Cupeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Interval Exercise ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Response ◽  
Maximal Aerobic Speed ◽  
High Intensity Interval

The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of sex hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle on cardiorespiratory response to high-intensity interval exercise in athletes. Twenty-one eumenorrheic endurance-trained females performed an interval running protocol in three menstrual cycle phases: early-follicular phase (EFP), late-follicular phase (LFP) and mid-luteal phase (MLP). It consisted of 8 × 3-min bouts at 85% of their maximal aerobic speed with 90-s recovery at 30% of their maximal aerobic speed. To verify menstrual cycle phase, we applied a three-step method: calendar-based counting, urinary luteinizing hormone measurement and serum hormone analysis. Mixed-linear model for repeated measures showed menstrual cycle impact on ventilatory (EFP: 78.61 ± 11.09; LFP: 76.45 ± 11.37; MLP: 78.59 ± 13.43) and heart rate (EFP: 167.29 ± 11.44; LFP: 169.89 ± 10.62; MLP: 169.89 ± 11.35) response to high-intensity interval exercise (F2.59 = 4.300; p = 0.018 and F2.61 = 4.648; p = 0.013, respectively). Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory exchange ratio, breathing frequency, energy expenditure, relative perceived exertion and perceived readiness were unaltered by menstrual cycle phase. Most of the cardiorespiratory variables measured appear to be impassive by menstrual cycle phases throughout a high-intensity interval exercise in endurance-trained athletes. It seems that sex hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle are not high enough to disrupt tissues’ adjustments caused by the high-intensity exercise. Nevertheless, HR based training programs should consider menstrual cycle phase.

A Case-Study on the Effects of the Menstrual Cycle and the Use of a Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill on the Performance of a Western Classical Singer: An Objective and Subjective Overview

2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 85-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Lã ◽  
Jane W. Davidson ◽  
William Ledger ◽  
David Howard ◽  
Georgina Jones
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Sexual Hormones ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Combined Oral Contraceptive

This case study explores the objective and psychologically perceived effects of the menstrual cycle and the use of a combined oral contraceptive pill on the singing performance of a western classical female singer. Objective measures of vocal parameters and hormonal concentrations were assessed during her natural menstrual cycle and during the use of an oral contraceptive pill. A diary was kept throughout the six months duration of the study and one lengthy semi-structured interview was also carried out with the singer, focussing on perceptions of her singing quality over the entire study. Aural analyses of the singing recordings were also undertaken by two independently qualified judges to see whether or not vocal changes were perceptible to listeners. The results suggest that: (i) hormonal variations during the natural menstrual cycle affected physiological and psychological aspects of the singer's performance; (ii) the pattern of vibration of the vocal folds seems to be more regular, and vocal control seems to be improved during oral contraceptive pill use; (iii) the singer reported better voice control during oral contraceptive pill use; (iv) listeners perceive intonation problems and wider vibrato during the natural menstrual cycle. This study suggests that further research on the effects of female sexual hormones on the singer's voice is necessary, and that female singers should be educated regarding these matters, in order to protect their voices and careers.

Social Stimulus Perception and Self-Evaluation: Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryle W. Alagna ◽  
Jean A. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Stimulus Perception ◽  
Female Nurse ◽  
Cognitive Dimensions ◽  
Phase Differences

Women in different phases of the menstrual cycle were compared to each other and to men in their responses to a social interaction stimulus: a videotape depicting a female nurse interacting with a hospitalized patient. Sex differences and cycle-phase differences were found for both affective and cognitive dimensions. Premenstrual women reported feeling more dominant, energetic, indifferent, negative, and somewhat more tense than women menstruating or women in the intermenstrual cycle phase. However, they did not differ from men in their affective ratings. Premenstrual women evaluated the nurse as less attractive than did men and they attributed greater responsibility for the nurse's behavior to the patient than men and intermenstrual women. Women in all groups evaluated the nurse as nicer and more pleasant, interesting, concerned and self-assured than did men. All women also felt more friendly toward the nurse and reported that they would be more comfortable asking her questions than the men did. The implications of these findings are discussed.

A novel method for menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive cycle verification

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. e37
Author(s):  
M. Schaumberg ◽  
D. Jenkins ◽  
X. Janse de Jonge ◽  
L. Emmerton ◽  
T. Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Novel Method
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