Electrodermal activity, hormonal levels and subjective experience during the menstrual cycle.
Changes in electrodermal activity and subjective experience were studied during the menstrual cycle. Sixty-two women, grouped into menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual phases, were presented with 15, 4-s, 80-dB, 1000-Hz tones. Psychological states and psychosomatic symptoms were tested with Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a self-report questionnaire. Two estimation procedures of the hormonal phases were used: one based on the onset of menses and cycle length, and another on the basal body temperature. Subjects were grouped into low or high levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone. There were significant increases in nonspecific response frequency, skin conductance response magnitude, skin conductance level, and a decrease in habituation rate at the ovulatory phase in comparison with luteal and premenstrual phases. No changes between the cycle phases were found in subjective experience. High follicle-stimulating hormone levels were associated with slower habituation rates and low trait-anxiety. The relationship between arousal changes and subjective experience in menstrual cycle is discussed.
Gómez-Amor
J
J
Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Anatomía Patológica y Psicobiología, Universidad de Murcia, Spain.
Martínez-Selva
J M
JM
Román
F
F
Zamora
S
S
Sastre
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*
D011374:Progesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone