Mean versus individual hormonal profiles in the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate hormonal profiles of normal menstrual cycles.


METHODS
Prospective, descriptive study of a case series.


METHODS
University-based natural family planning center.


METHODS
Twenty-five natural family planning users for three or more cycles (n = 78). These women were healthy, contraception-free, parous, with regular ovulatory cycles.


METHODS
Immunoassays for estrone glucuronide, LH, and pregnanediol glucuronide were done in daily timed and measured samples of early morning urine.


METHODS
Estrone glucuronide, LH, and pregnanediol glucuronide levels were measured during the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
All cycles showed an ovulatory pattern configuring classic hormonal mean curves. Most (77%) differed from the mean curve pattern. All had estrone glucuronide peaks, LH peaks, and pregnanediol glucuronide increases. Estrone glucuronide and LH peaks were not always clear; some lasted more than 1 day (long peak: estrone glucuronide 19%, LH 9%) or fluctuated (double peak: estrone glucuronide 4%, LH 6%; small LH peak: 19%). There were also prepeak estrone glucuronide surges, and pre- and postpeak LH surges. Pregnanediol glucuronide increased more clearly (6% fluctuated 1 day). Some women had repeated cycles with long estrone glucuronide peaks (16%) and fluctuations in LH surge (44%).


CONCLUSIONS
Normal menstrual cycle hormonal profiles generally differ from mean curves, which are usually considered standard.
Alliende
María Elena
ME
Centro de Planificación Natural Familiar, Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. melenalliende@manquehue.net
D000328:Adult; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000652:urine*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000652:urine*; D011276:Pregnanediol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine*
C022270:pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide; C015856:estrone-3-glucuronide; D004970:Estrone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D011276:Pregnanediol