title: The effect of the menstrual cycle on inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) fluctuate considerably over time. However, it has not been determined whether these symptoms are affected by the menstrual cycle in female IBD patients. This study analyzed the effects of the menstrual cycle on IBD symptom variation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of 91 study subjects (47 IBD patients and 44 healthy controls) who reported daily symptoms and signs throughout their menstrual cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IBD patients had significantly more frequent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea (30% vs 7%, p=0.006), flatulence (53% vs 22%, p=0.003), and abdominal pain as compared to controls (68% vs 38%, p=0.006). The IBD patients also experienced more frequent systemic premenstrual symptoms than the controls (79% vs 50%, p=0.003). More severe abdominal pain (p=0.002) and lower mean general condition scores (p=0.001) were noted during the menstrual phase as compared to the pre- or post-menstrual phase in both groups. IBD patients experienced more frequent premenstrual gastrointestinal symptoms than controls, but their IBD symptoms did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the cyclic alterations in gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms may be helpful in determining the true exacerbation of disease in female IBD patients.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sun Min
authors: SM
authors: Lim
authors: Chung Mo
authors: CM
authors: Nam
authors: Youn Nam
authors: YN
authors: Kim
authors: Sin Ae
authors: SA
authors: Lee
authors: Eun Hye
authors: EH
authors: Kim
authors: Sung Pil
authors: SP
authors: Hong
authors: Tae Il
authors: TI
authors: Kim
authors: Won Ho
authors: WH
authors: Kim
authors: Jae Hee
authors: JH
authors: Cheon
keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases; Menstrual cycle; Women