title: Decreased large-artery stiffness in midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy women of reproductive age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sex hormones are specific factors contributing to the regulation of cardiovascular system. Studies on the effects of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle on hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in young women are limited and provide conflicting results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess arterial stiffness, peripheral/central blood (pBP and cBP) and pulse (pPP and cPP) pressures throughout the single, natural menstrual cycle (early follicular [EFP], late follicular [LFP] and midluteal [LP] phase).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty two healthy regularly menstruating women (28.6±5.1 yrs of age; BMI 22.0±3.5 kg/m2) were evaluated during EFP (Estradiol [E], FSH, LH, PRL, TSH, Testosterone [T], DHEAS, and SHBG), LFP (E, FSH, LH) and LP (Progesterone, E, FSH, LH). Transvaginal ultrasound was performed to confirm ovulatory cycle. Resting radial and aortic BP were assessed noninvasively and continuously using tonometric measurement of peripheral PP wave-PPW (Colin BMP7000, Japan) and on-line reconstruction of central PPW (Sphygmocor Mx, Australia) at EFP, LFP and LP. ANOVA and Friedman test were used in statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in systolic/diastolic BP and PP both at the periphery and at ascending aorta throughout the menstrual cycle. Comparable observations of no interphasal differences were noted for peripheral Augmentation Index (AI). Central AI and augmentation pressure (AP) were significantly lower in LP than in LFP (by 4%; p<0.05 and by 37%; p<0.05, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated significant differences in mechanical properties of large arteries at the midluteal phase of natural menstrual cycle. We conclude that sex hormones may play role in the regulation of arterial stiffness in the reproductive age women.
authors.forename: Robert Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Spaczyński
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitkowska
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Florczak
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banaszewska
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krauze
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wykrętowicz
authors.forename: Przemysław
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guzik
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pawelczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones