Haemorheological changes during the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine changes in some haemorheological parameters: haematocrit (Hct), Whole Blood Relative Viscosity (WBRV), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Fibrinogen Concentration (FC) during the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Cross-sectional prospective study.


METHODS
Three hundred and fifty randomly selected female undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.


METHODS
Departments of Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.


METHODS
Significant variation (p<0.05) were found in the values of all four haemorheological parameters assessed in the various phases of the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
Both haematocrit (Hct) and Whole Blood Relative Viscosity (WBRV) showed a similar trend, being highest in the ovulatory phase, followed by the luteal phase and follicular phase, and lowest in the menstrual phase. The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) however, showed a pattern opposite to both Hct and WBRV, being highest in the menstrual phase followed by the luteal phase, and the follicular phase, and lowest in the ovulatory phase. The Fibrinogen Concentration (FC) was highest in the menstrual phase, followed by the ovulatory phase, the luteal phase and was lowest in the follicular phase.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that significant variation could occur in some haemorheological parameters during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle.
Dapper
D V B
DV
Department of Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Didia
B C
BC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006400:Hematocrit; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities
D005340:Fibrinogen