Can estrogen influence the response to noxious stimuli?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate estrogen-induced alternations in noxious stimuli response.


METHODS
Randomized, prospective, double-blind study.


METHODS
Tertiary-care academic medical center.


METHODS
40 ASA physical status I and II women at the beginning and conclusion of an in vitro fertilization stimulation cycle.


METHODS
Stimuli were applied to the fingers of the dominant hand via a Basile Analgesy-Meter, which applied increasing pressure (g/cm(2)) in a continuous fashion, and ice water immersion.


METHODS
Serum hormonal concentrations and responses to noxious (pressure and cold thermal) stimuli were studied.


RESULTS
Estrogen and progesterone concentrations changed from 377 +/- 323.42 pg/mL to 2078.05 +/- 1175.92 pg/mL (p < 0.001) and 1.20 +/- 0.56 to 1.03 +/- 0.35 ng/mL (p = NS), respectively. Although no significant difference was noted in the response to pressure (16.92 +/- 4.41 to 17.85 +/- 4.95 g/cm(2)), a significant reduction in the tolerance to ice water immersion (34.18 +/- 28.29 to 24.05 +/- 23.02 s) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
High estrogen concentrations are associated with significantly lower tolerance to cold, but not pressure stimuli.
Tsen
L C
LC
Department of Anesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Itsen@zeus.bwh.harvard.edu
Natale
M
M
Datta
S
S
Eappen
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011312:Pressure; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone