The menstrual cycle affects recognition of emotional expressions: an event-related potential study

Background: Several studies have investigated the relationship between behavioral changes and the menstrual cycle in female subjects at a reproductive age. The present study investigated the relationship between the menstrual cycle and emotional face recognition by measuring the N170 component of ERPs. Methods: We measured N170 of twelve women in both follicular phase and late luteal phase who were presented with human facial expressions as stimuli (happy and angry). Results: In the follicular phase, participants showed a significantly larger response to happy male facial expressions. In the late luteal phase, participants had longer reaction times to all emotional stimuli, and a significantly reduced response to happy faces, especially happy male facial expressions (P<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the menstrual cycle modulates early visual cognitive processing, and highlight the importance of considering the menstrual cycle phase in studies that investigate emotion and cognition.

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Injury Incidence Across the Menstrual Cycle in International Footballers

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.616999 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Dan Martin ◽

Kate Timmins ◽

Charlotte Cowie ◽

Jon Alty ◽

Ritan Mehta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Tendon Injuries ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Injury Incidence ◽

Rate Ratios ◽

Late Follicular Phase

Objectives: This study aimed to assess how menstrual cycle phase and extended menstrual cycle length influence the incidence of injuries in international footballers.Methods: Over a 4-year period, injuries from England international footballers at training camps or matches were recorded, alongside self-reported information on menstrual cycle characteristics at the point of injury. Injuries in eumenorrheic players were categorized into early follicular, late follicular, or luteal phase. Frequencies were also compared between injuries recorded during the typical cycle and those that occurred after the cycle would be expected to have finished. Injury incidence rates (per 1,000 person days) and injury incidence rate ratios were calculated for each phase for all injuries and injuries stratified by type.Results: One hundred fifty-six injuries from 113 players were eligible for analysis. Injury incidence rates per 1,000 person-days were 31.9 in the follicular, 46.8 in the late follicular, and 35.4 in the luteal phase, resulting in injury incidence rate ratios of 1.47 (Late follicular:Follicular), 1.11 (Luteal:Follicular), and 0.76 (Luteal:Late follicular). Injury incident rate ratios showed that muscle and tendon injury rates were 88% greater in the late follicular phase compared to the follicular phase, with muscle rupture/tear/strain/cramps and tendon injuries/ruptures occurring over twice as often during the late follicular phase compared to other phases 20% of injuries were reported as occurring when athletes were “overdue” menses.Conclusion: Muscle and tendon injuries occurred almost twice as often in the late follicular phase compared to the early follicular or luteal phase. Injury risk may be elevated in typically eumenorrheic women in the days after their next menstruation was expected to start.

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Menstrual Cycle and Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer: Findings From the NCCTG N9431 Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2008.21.3603 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 27 (22) ◽

pp. 3620-3626 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Clive S. Grant ◽

James N. Ingle ◽

Vera J. Suman ◽

Daniel A. Dumesic ◽

D. Lawrence Wickerham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Adjuvant Radiation ◽

Menstrual Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

Hormone Levels ◽

Menstrual History

Purpose For nearly two decades, multiple retrospective reports, small prospective studies, and meta-analyses have arrived at conflicting results regarding the value of timing surgical intervention for breast cancer on the basis of menstrual cycle phase. We present the results of a multi–cooperative group, prospective, observational trial of menstrual cycle phase and outcome after breast cancer surgery, led by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) in collaboration with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG). Patients and Methods Premenopausal women age 18 to 55 years, who were interviewed for menstrual history and who were surgically treated for stages I to II breast cancer, had serum drawn within 1 day of surgery for estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone levels. Menstrual history and hormone levels were used to determine menstrual phase: luteal, follicular, and other. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were determined by Kaplan-Meier method and were compared by using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard modeling. Results Of 1,118 women initially enrolled, 834 women comprised the study cohort: 230 (28%) in luteal phase; 363 (44%) in follicular phase; and 241 grouped as other. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, and in analysis that accounted for nodal disease, estrogen receptor status, adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy, neither DFS nor OS differed with respect to menstrual phase. The 5-year DFS rates were 82.7%, 82.1%, and 79.2% for follicular, luteal, or other phases, respectively. Corresponding OS survival rates were 91.9%, 92.2%, and 91.8%, respectively. Conclusion When menstrual cycle phases were strictly defined, neither DFS nor OS differed between women who underwent surgery during the follicular phase versus the luteal phase. Nearly 30% of the patients did not meet criteria for either follicular- or luteal-phase categories.

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Serum and urinary concentrations of sex hormones and genital swelling during the menstrual cycle of the gibbon

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1360447 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 136 (3) ◽

pp. 447-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

R. D. Nadler ◽

J. F. Dahl ◽

D. C. Collins

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Multimale Groups ◽

The Relationship ◽

Monitoring Progress ◽

Female Genital

ABSTRACT The relationship between sex hormone concentrations and female genital swelling during the menstrual cycle in the monogamous gibbon was comparable with that of polygamous female primates, such as the chimpanzee, which live in multimale groups and have larger swellings. The data, therefore, support the hypothesis proposed by C. R. Carpenter more than 50 years ago, that the gibbon's genital swelling, like that of other female primates, reflects basic physiological processes associated with progress of the menstrual cycle. Genital swelling increased during the follicular phase with increasing concentrations of oestradiol and oestrone glucuronide, reached maximal swelling in association with the mid-cycle peaks in the oestrogens and LH and began detumescence with the initial increases in progesterone during the luteal phase. The data also suggest that the menstrual cycle of the gibbon is shorter than previously reported, since cycles of 19–22 days exhibited hormone patterns that are consistent with ovulation. The genital swelling of the female gibbon is a useful marker for monitoring progress of the menstrual cycle and the presumptive time of ovulation. Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 136, 447–455

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ADMA concentration changes across the menstrual cycle and during oral contraceptive use: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-09-0658 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 162 (2) ◽

pp. 259-265 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Pirjo Valtonen ◽

Kari Punnonen ◽

Heli Saarelainen ◽

Nonna Heiskanen ◽

Olli T Raitakari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Contraceptive ◽

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Brachial Artery ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Adult Women ◽

Brachial Artery Diameter ◽

Concentration Changes ◽

Adma Concentration

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels during different menstrual cycle phases in young adult women with or without oral contraceptive (OC) use.Design and methodsThe subjects (n=1079) originated from a large population-based, prospective cohort study conducted in Finland. Plasma ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), l-arginine, C-reactive protein, creatinine, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were measured. The use of OCs and menstrual cycle phase were determined from a questionnaire.ResultsIn non-OC users, ADMA (P=0.017), l-arginine (P=0.002), and ADMA/SDMA ratio (P<0.001) were significantly lower in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Non-OC users also had significantly higher ADMA and SDMA concentrations (P<0.001) and lower l-arginine concentrations (P<0.001) compared to OC users of estrogen-containing pills. Progestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs) did not lower the ADMA level, but maintained it at the same level as in non-OC users. In OC users, there were no significant differences found in ADMA, FMD, or FMD% across menstrual cycle, whereas brachial artery diameter was significantly more decreased in the luteal phase (P=0.013) than in the follicular phase.ConclusionWe observed that the circulating ADMA concentration varies across the menstrual cycle in young women not using OCs, and women on OCs displayed significantly lower circulating ADMA concentrations than non-OC users, though this was not the case with POP contraception.

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Effects of the menstrual cycle on mood, neurocognitive and neuroendocrine function in healthy premenopausal women

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291703008535 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 93-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

C. S. SYMONDS ◽

P. GALLAGHER ◽

J. M. THOMPSON ◽

A. H. YOUNG

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Continuous Performance Task ◽

Biological Difference ◽

Basal Cortisol ◽

The Relationship

Background. Neurocognitive functioning may be impaired in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle due to associated changes in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function. This study examines the relationship between changes in neurocognition and HPA axis function in different phases of the menstrual cycle.Method. Fifteen female volunteers, free from psychiatric history and hormonal medication were tested twice, during mid-follicular and late-luteal phases in a randomized, crossover design. Mood, neurocognitive function, and basal cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were profiled.Results. Relative to the follicular phase, verbal fluency was impaired in the luteal phase and reaction times speeded on a continuous performance task, without affecting overall accuracy. ‘Hedonic’ scores on the UWIST-MACL scale were decreased in the luteal phase. There was also evidence of changes in the function of the HPA axis, with 24 h urinary cortisol concentrations and salivary DHEA levels being significantly lower during the luteal phase.Conclusions. These data suggest that luteal phase HPA axis function is lower than in the follicular phase in premenopausal healthy women. This putative biological difference may be important for our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of menstrually related mood change and neurocognitive disturbance.

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Peak gamma frequency and cortical laminar processing are modified across the healthy menstrual cycle

10.1101/219196 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

R.L. Sumner ◽

R.L. McMilllan ◽

A. D. Shaw ◽

K.D. Singh ◽

F. Sundram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Pyramidal Cells ◽

Gamma Oscillations ◽

Gonadal Hormones ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Gamma Frequency ◽

Cortical Laminar

AbstractFluctuations in gonadal hormones over the course of the menstrual cycle are known to cause functional brain changes and are thought to modulate changes in the balance of cortical excitation and inhibition. Animal research has shown this occurs primarily via the major metabolite of progesterone, allopregnanolone, and its action as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor. Our study used EEG to record gamma oscillations induced in the visual cortex using stationary and moving gratings. Recordings took place during twenty females’ mid-luteal phase when progesterone and oestradiol are highest, and early follicular phase when progesterone and oestradiol are lowest. Significantly higher (~5 Hz) gamma frequency was recorded during the luteal compared to the follicular phase for both stimuli types. Using dynamic causal modelling these changes were linked to stronger self-inhibition of superficial pyramidal cells in the luteal compared to the follicular phase. In addition the connection from inhibitory interneurons to deep pyramidal cells was found to be stronger in the follicular compared to the luteal phase. These findings show that complex functional changes in synaptic microcircuitry occur across the menstrual cycle and that menstrual cycle phase should be taken into consideration when including female participants in research into gamma-band oscillations.

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PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN DEPENDENCE ON THE OVARIOHORMONAL CYCLE PHASE AND PROGESTERONE ACTIVITY (PART 2)

Bulletin of Siberian Medicine ◽

10.20538/1682-0363-2013-2-257-265 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 257-265

Author(s):

K. B. Muravlyova ◽

O. I. Kuzminova ◽

S. I. Petrova ◽

M. V. Skoraya ◽

O. M. Bazanova

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Peak Frequency ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Progesterone Level ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Alpha Band ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

Subject Design ◽

Alpha Peak

With the aim to identify the effects of menstrual cycle phase on the alpha EEG characteristics the 78 women aged 18–27 years were studied in a within-subject design Half the subjects began investigation at their follicular phase and half at their luteal phase (LP). The alpha peak frequency, alpha band width and power inalpha-2 range are highest, but power in alpha 1 and activation are lowest in LP that is associated with the highest saliva progesterone level.

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Response to flumazenil in the late luteal phase and follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy control females

Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1007/s00213-003-1660-2 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 172 (3) ◽

pp. 248-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Emily C. Bell ◽

Glen B. Baker ◽

Christina Poag ◽

Francois Bellavance ◽

Janisse Khudabux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Late Luteal Phase ◽

Healthy Control

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PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN DEPENDENCE ON THE OVARIOHORMONAL CYCLE PHASE AND PROGESTERONE ACTIVITY (PART 1)

Bulletin of Siberian Medicine ◽

10.20538/1682-0363-2013-2-247-256 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 247-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. B. Muravlyova ◽

O. I. Kuzminova ◽

S. E. Petrova ◽

M. V. Skoraya ◽

O. M. Bazanova

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Progesterone Level ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽

Emotional Tension ◽

Subject Design

With the aim to identify the effects of menstrual cycle phase on the cognitive and psycho-emotional characteristics in 78 women aged 18–27 years were studied in a within-subject design Half the subjects began during their follicular phase and half began during their luteal phase (LP). The level of psycho-emotional tension was lowest, but cognitive performance efficiency is a highest in LP that is associated with the highest saliva progesterone level.

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