title: Psychophysiological and neuroendocrine responses to laboratory stressors in women: implications of menstrual cycle phase and stressor type.
abstract: This study assessed stressor and menstrual phase effects on psychophysiological and neuroendocrine responses to laboratory stressors in freely cycling women (N=78, ages 18-45). Participants performed counterbalanced stressors [Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) or cold pressor test (CP)] during their follicular and luteal menstrual cycle phases between 1:00 and 3:00p.m. to control for cortisol rhythm. Participants rested 30-min, performed the stressor, and then recovered 30-min while electrocardiography continuously monitored heart rate (HR). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), salivary cortisol, and state anxiety were assessed at timed intervals. HR, SBP, and cortisol varied more over the course of luteal than follicular phase testing. A three-way interaction revealed state anxiety reactivity was greater with the PASAT during the follicular phase. DBP showed equal and persistent reactivity with both stressors during both cycle phases. Results extend the stressor-specific HPAA hypothesis and have important methodological implications for women's biopsychology research.
authors.affiliation: Lustyk Women's Health Lab, School of Psychology, Family, and Community, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA 98119, United States. klustyk@spu.edu
authors.forename: M Kathleen B
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lustyk
authors.forename: Karen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Winslow G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Gerrish
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holder
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Widman
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D007753:Laboratories; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone