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Halson SL, Johnston RD, Pearson M, Minahan C. Menstrual-Cycle Symptoms and Sleep Characteristics in Elite Soccer Players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2024; 19:914-920. [PMID: 39048089 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether menstrual-cycle symptoms are associated with sleep in elite female athletes. METHODS Sleep was assessed for a minimum of 25 nights (range = 25-31) using activity monitoring and sleep diaries. Menstrual-cycle symptoms were collected over the same duration in 12 elite female professional soccer players. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between the day of the menstrual cycle (from day 1) and total menstrual-cycle symptoms on sleep characteristics. RESULTS There was a significant relationship between sleep duration and the day of the menstrual cycle (P = .042) and total symptoms reported that day (P < .001), with sleep duration increasing by 21 minutes for every symptom reported. There was a negative day × symptom interaction on sleep duration (P = .004), indicating that with increased symptoms, the day of the menstrual cycle had a smaller relationship with sleep duration. Sleep efficiency (P = .950), wake after sleep onset (P = .217), and subjective sleep quality (P = .080) were not related to the day of the menstrual cycle. The total symptoms reported had no relationship with sleep efficiency (P = .220), subjective sleep quality (P = .502), or sleep latency (P = .740) but did significantly relate to wake after sleep onset (P < .001), with a significant day × symptom interaction (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Sleep duration increased from day 1 of the menstrual cycle and was associated with the number of menstrual-cycle symptoms reported. All other sleep metrics remained unchanged; however, total symptoms reported were related to wake after sleep onset. Monitoring and managing menstrual-cycle symptoms should be encouraged due to a potential relationship with sleep characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shona L Halson
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, McAuley at Banyo, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Sport Performance Recovery Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Faculty of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rich D Johnston
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, McAuley at Banyo, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Sport Performance Recovery Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Faculty of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research Centre, School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Madison Pearson
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, McAuley at Banyo, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Sport Performance Recovery Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre, Faculty of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Clare Minahan
- Griffith Sports Science, Griffith Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Sports Commission, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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2
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Swift KM, Gary NC, Urbanczyk PJ. On the basis of sex and sleep: the influence of the estrous cycle and sex on sleep-wake behavior. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1426189. [PMID: 39268035 PMCID: PMC11390649 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1426189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The recurrent hormonal fluctuations within reproductive cycles impact sleep-wake behavior in women and in rats and mice used in preclinical models of sleep research. Strides have been made in sleep-related clinical trials to include equal numbers of women; however, the inclusion of female rodents in neuroscience and sleep research is lacking. Female animals are commonly omitted from studies over concerns of the effect of estrus cycle hormones on measured outcomes. This review highlights the estrous cycle's broad effects on sleep-wake behavior: from changes in sleep macroarchitecture to regionally specific alterations in neural oscillations. These changes are largely driven by cycle-dependent ovarian hormonal fluctuations occurring during proestrus and estrus that modulate neural circuits regulating sleep-wake behavior. Removal of estrous cycle influence by ovariectomy ablates characteristic sleep changes. Further, sex differences in sleep are present between gonadally intact females and males. Removal of reproductive hormones via gonadectomy in both sexes mitigates some, but not all sex differences. We examine the extent to which reproductive hormones and sex chromosomes contribute to sex differences in sleep-wake behavior. Finally, this review addresses the limitations in our understanding of the estrous cycle's impact on sleep-wake behavior, gaps in female sleep research that are well studied in males, and the implications that ignoring the estrous cycle has on studies of sleep-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Swift
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Nicholas C Gary
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Phillip J Urbanczyk
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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Kawasaki Y, Kasai T, Sakurama Y, Kawana F, Shiroshita N, Koikawa N. Changes in the Objective Measures of Sleep in Association with Menses Among Female Athletes with Poor Subjective Sleep Quality: Female Athletes with Poor Subjective Sleep Quality Have More Sleep Arousals During Menses. Nat Sci Sleep 2024; 16:381-388. [PMID: 38646463 PMCID: PMC11032107 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s449305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Female athletes with menstrual abnormalities have poor sleep quality. However, whether female athletes with poor sleep quality based on subjective assessment have distinctive changes in objective measures of sleep in association with menses remains unclear. This study aimed to compare changes in objective sleep measurements during and following menses between collegiate female athletes with and without poor subjective sleep quality. Patients and Methods Female collegiate athletes (age range/mean ± standard deviation: 18-22/ 22.2±1.1) with regular menstrual cycles were recruited. The participants underwent home electroencephalogram monitoring during the first and second nights after the onset of menses and one night between the seventh and 10th nights after menses onset (mid-follicular phase). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the subjective sleep quality. Interactions between the presence of poor subjective sleep quality (ie, PSQI ≥6) and changes in objective measures of sleep in association with menses were analyzed. Results Data of 45 athletes, including 13 with poor subjective sleep quality, showed that changes in arousal index in athletes with poor subjective sleep quality were distinctive from those in athletes without poor subjective sleep quality (p = 0.036 for interaction). In athletes with poor subjective sleep quality, the arousal index was significantly increased in menses (p for analysis of variance, 0.015), especially on the first night after the onset of menses compared with during the mid-follicular phase (p = 0.016). Conclusion Collegiate female athletes with regular menstrual cycles are likely to have poor subjective sleep quality in association with more frequent arousal during the first night after the onset of menses than during the mid-follicular phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Kawasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Kasai
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Management and Remote Monitoring, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Sleep and Sleep-Disordered Breathing Center, Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Sakurama
- Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fusae Kawana
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nanako Shiroshita
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Natsue Koikawa
- Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
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4
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Masuda H, Okada S. Menstruation-related symptoms are associated with physical activity and midpoint of sleep: a pilot study. Front Glob Womens Health 2023; 4:1260645. [PMID: 38179154 PMCID: PMC10765530 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2023.1260645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Menstruation-related symptoms (MRSs) significantly impact women's health and contribute to economic burdens worldwide. Current interventions, primarily pharmacological ones, have limitations and side effects that underscore the need for alternative management strategies. This study explores the association between MRSs and lifestyle factors, specifically physical activity and sleep timing across menstrual cycle phases, to inform non-pharmacological intervention development. Methods Fourteen female students from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, with regular menstrual cycles (25-38 days), not on hormonal treatment or engaged in shift work, participated in this observational study. Using a Fitbit Inspire 2, total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and sleep timing were monitored over a complete cycle. Menstrual cycle phases were defined based on ovulation day, predicted using home luteinizing hormone tests. Participants completed daily electronic questionnaires rating MRSs using a modified menstrual distress questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model with a gamma distribution and logarithmic link function, examining the relationship of TDEE and the midpoint of sleep time (MS time) with MRS severity. Results and discussion The following observations were noted: first, MRS severity, except for behavioral change symptoms, significantly increased during the menstrual and luteal phases compared to the follicular phase. Second, delayed MS time was associated with reduced pain, concentration symptoms, water retention, and negative affect during the menstrual phase and reduced negative affect during the luteal phase. Finally, an increase in TDEE was associated with reduced concentration symptoms, autonomic reaction symptoms, and negative affect during the menstrual and luteal phases and reduced water retention only during the luteal phase. This study provides insights into the relationship between MRSs and TDEE/MS time, suggesting potential non-therapeutic approaches for symptom management, though further research is needed to substantiate these findings for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazuki Masuda
- Biophysical Engineering Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
| | - Shima Okada
- Biophysical Engineering Lab, Department of Robotics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
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5
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Alzueta E, Baker FC. The Menstrual Cycle and Sleep. Sleep Med Clin 2023; 18:399-413. [PMID: 38501513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Aspects of sleep change across the menstrual cycle in some women. Poorer sleep quality in the premenstrual phase and menstruation is common in women with premenstrual symptoms or painful menstrual cramps. Although objective sleep continuity remains unchanged across the regular, asymptomatic menstrual cycle, activity in the sleep electroencephalogram varies, with a prominent increase in sleep spindle activity in the postovulatory luteal phase, when progesterone is present, relative to the follicular phase. Menstrual cycle phase, reproductive stage, and menstrual-related disorders should be considered when assessing women's sleep complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Alzueta
- Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Fiona C Baker
- Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA; Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Jung HN, Suh D, Jeong WC, Ryu J, Kim YM, Yoon S, Kim H. Associations of chronotype and insomnia with menstrual problems in newly employed nurses at university hospitals in the Republic of Korea. Ann Occup Environ Med 2023; 35:e30. [PMID: 37701482 PMCID: PMC10493377 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dysmenorrhea and menstrual cycle changes occur in women working shifts. Circadian rhythm disruption and sleep disturbances associated with shift work leads to health problems. We identified chronotypes and the occurrence of insomnia among newly employed university hospital nurses and investigated the association of these factors with menstrual problems. Methods We conducted pre-placement health examinations for shift workers using self-reported questionnaires between 2018 and 2020. A total of 463 nurses were included in the study. Sociodemographic data, shift work experience, and information on insomnia were collected from health examination data. In addition, details regarding chronotype, dysmenorrhea, irregular and abnormal menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, and contraceptive use were obtained from the questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to study the association between chronotype, insomnia, and menstrual problems after controlling for age, body mass index, contraceptive use, amenorrhea, and prior shift work. Results The prevalence rates of dysmenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycles, and longer menstrual cycles were 23.8%, 14.9%, and 4.1%, respectively. The risk of dysmenorrhea increased in the evening-type (odds ratio [OR]: 3.209; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.685-6.113) and those with insomnia (OR: 1.871; 95% CI: 1.074-3.261). Additionally, the risk of an irregular menstrual cycle (OR: 2.698; 95% CI: 1.167-6.237) increased in the evening-type, and the risk of a longer menstrual cycle (OR: 4.008; 95% CI: 1.354-11.864) increased in individuals with insomnia. Conclusions Our findings suggest that dysmenorrhea is promoted in the evening-type and insomnia individuals. There may be an increased risk of irregular menstrual cycles among evening-type nurses and an increased risk of longer menstrual cycles among those with insomnia. Therefore, factors such as evening-type and insomnia should be considered for the prevention of menstrual problems in women performing shift work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Na Jung
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dongwhan Suh
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Chul Jeong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jia Ryu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary’s Hospital, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yu-Mi Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
- School of Public Health, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seohyun Yoon
- Ewha Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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7
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Antero J, Golovkine S, Niffoi L, Meignié A, Chassard T, Delarochelambert Q, Duclos M, Maitre C, Maciejewski H, Diry A, Toussaint JF. Menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive phases' effect on elite rowers' training, performance and wellness. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1110526. [PMID: 36875020 PMCID: PMC9981658 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1110526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the effect of menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal contraception (HC) phases in elite rowers training, performance and wellness monitoring. Methods: Twelve French elite rowers were follow-up for 4,2 cycles on average in their final preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics Games in Tokyo 2021 through an on-site longitudinal study based on repeated measures. Daily self-reported evaluation using Likert rating scales of wellness (sleep quality, fitness, mood, injuries' pain), menstrual symptoms and training parameters (perceived exertion and self-assessment of performance) were collected (n = 1,281) in parallel to a coach evaluation of rowers' performance (n = 136), blinded to theirs MC and HC phases. Salivary samples of estradiol and progesterone were collected in each cycle to help to classify the MC into 6 phases and HC into 2-3 phases depending on the pills' hormone concentration. A chi-square test normalized by each rower was used to compare the upper quintile scores of each studied variable across phases. A Bayesian ordinal logistic regression was applied to model the rowers' self-reported performance. Results: Rowers with a natural cycle, n = 6 ( + 1 amenorrhea) evaluate their performance and wellness with significant higher score indices at the middle of their cycle. Top assessments are rarer at the premenstrual and menses phases, when they more frequently experience menstrual symptoms which are negatively correlated with their performance. The HC rowers, n = 5, also better evaluate their performance when taking the pills and more frequently experience menstrual symptoms during the pill withdrawal. The athletes self-reported performance is correlated with their coach's evaluation. Conclusion: It seems important to integrate MC and HC data in the wellness and training monitoring of female athletes since these parameters vary across hormonal phases affecting training perception of both athlete and coach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Antero
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | - Steven Golovkine
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | - Louis Niffoi
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | - Alice Meignié
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | - Tom Chassard
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | - Quentin Delarochelambert
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | - Martine Duclos
- Department of Sport Medicine and Functional Exploration, University Hospital CHU G. Montpied, INRAE, UNH, CRNH Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Carole Maitre
- Medical Department at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
| | | | - Allison Diry
- French Rowing Federation, Nogent-sur-Marne, France
| | - Jean-François Toussaint
- Institute for Research in BioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport, IRMES at INSEP (Institut National du Sport, de l’Expertise et de la Performance), Paris, France
- URP 7329, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Center for Investigation in Sport Medicine, CIMS Hôtel-Dieu, Assistance Publique—Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France
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8
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Arthaud S, Villalba M, Blondet C, Morel AL, Peyron C. Effects of sex and estrous cycle on sleep and cataplexy in narcoleptic mice. Sleep 2022; 45:6569391. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a rare neurology disorder caused by the loss of orexin/hypocretin neurons. NT1 is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep and wake fragmentation, and cataplexy. These symptoms have been equally described in both women and men, although influences of gender and hormonal cycles have been poorly studied. Unfortunately, most studies with NT1 preclinical mouse models, use only male mice to limit potential variations due to the hormonal cycle. Therefore, whether gender and/or hormonal cycles impact the expression of narcoleptic symptoms remains to be determined. To address this question, we analyzed vigilance states and cataplexy in 20 female and 17 male adult orexin knock-out narcoleptic mice, with half of the females being recorded over multiple days. Mice had access to chocolate to encourage the occurrence of cataplectic episodes. A vaginal smear was performed daily in female mice to establish the state of the estrous cycle (EC) of the previous recorded night. We found that vigilance states were more fragmented in males than females, and that females had less paradoxical sleep (p = 0.0315) but more cataplexy (p = 0.0375). Interestingly, sleep and wake features were unchanged across the female EC, but the total amount of cataplexy was doubled during estrus compared to other stages of the cycle (p = 0.001), due to a large increase in the number of cataplexy episodes (p = 0.0002). Altogether these data highlight sex differences in the expression of narcolepsy symptoms in orexin knock-out mice. Notably, cataplexy occurrence was greatly influenced by estrous cycle. Whether it is due to hormonal changes would need to be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Arthaud
- Center for Research in Neuroscience of Lyon (CRNL), SLEEP Team, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier—Bâtiment 462—Neurocampus Michel Jouvet , Bron Cedex , France
- University Lyon1 , Lyon , France
| | - Manon Villalba
- Center for Research in Neuroscience of Lyon (CRNL), SLEEP Team, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier—Bâtiment 462—Neurocampus Michel Jouvet , Bron Cedex , France
- University Lyon1 , Lyon , France
| | | | - Anne-Laure Morel
- Center for Research in Neuroscience of Lyon (CRNL), SLEEP Team, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier—Bâtiment 462—Neurocampus Michel Jouvet , Bron Cedex , France
- University Lyon1 , Lyon , France
| | - Christelle Peyron
- Center for Research in Neuroscience of Lyon (CRNL), SLEEP Team, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Centre Hospitalier le Vinatier—Bâtiment 462—Neurocampus Michel Jouvet , Bron Cedex , France
- University Lyon1 , Lyon , France
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9
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Alzueta E, de Zambotti M, Javitz H, Dulai T, Albinni B, Simon KC, Sattari N, Zhang J, Shuster A, Mednick SC, Baker FC. Tracking Sleep, Temperature, Heart Rate, and Daily Symptoms Across the Menstrual Cycle with the Oura Ring in Healthy Women. Int J Womens Health 2022; 14:491-503. [PMID: 35422659 PMCID: PMC9005074 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s341917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective The ovulatory menstrual cycle is characterized by hormonal fluctuations that influence physiological systems and functioning. Multi-sensor wearable devices can be sensitive tools capturing cycle-related physiological features pertinent to women’s health research. This study used the Oura ring to track changes in sleep and related physiological features, and also tracked self-reported daily functioning and symptoms across the regular, healthy menstrual cycle. Methods Twenty-six healthy women (age, mean (SD): 24.4 (1.1 years)) with regular, ovulatory cycles (length, mean (SD): 28.57 (3.8 days)) were monitored across a complete menstrual cycle. Four menstrual cycle phases, reflecting different hormone milieus, were selected for analysis: menses, ovulation, mid-luteal, and late-luteal. Objective measures of sleep, sleep distal skin temperature, heart rate (HR) and vagal-mediated heart rate variability (HRV, rMSSD), derived from the Oura ring, and subjective daily diary measures (eg sleep quality, readiness) were compared across phases. Results Wearable-based measures of sleep continuity and sleep stages did not vary across the menstrual cycle. Women reported no menstrual cycle-related changes in perceived sleep quality or readiness and only marginally poorer mood in the midluteal phase. However, they reported moderately more physical symptoms during menses (p < 0.001). Distal skin temperature and HR, measured during sleep, showed a biphasic pattern across the menstrual cycle, with increased HR (p < 0.03) and body temperature (p < 0.001) in the mid- and late-luteal phases relative to menses and ovulation. Correspondingly, rMSSD HRV tended to be lower in the luteal phase. Further, distal skin temperature was lower during ovulation relative to menses (p = 0.05). Conclusion The menstrual cycle was not accompanied by significant fluctuations in objective and perceived measures of sleep or in mood, in healthy women with regular, ovulatory menstrual cycles. However, other physiological changes in skin temperature and HR were evident and may be longitudinally tracked with the Oura ring in women over multiple cycles in a natural setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Alzueta
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | - Harold Javitz
- Division of Education, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Teji Dulai
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Benedetta Albinni
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Italy
| | - Katharine C Simon
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Negin Sattari
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alessandra Shuster
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sara C Mednick
- Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Fiona C Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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10
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Enea C, Arc C, Delpech N. Les spécificités hormonales de la sportive de haut niveau : adapter la prise en charge pour optimiser la performance. Sci Sports 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scispo.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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11
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Baker FC, Lee KA. Menstrual Cycle Effects on Sleep. Sleep Med Clin 2022; 17:283-294. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Carmichael MA, Thomson RL, Moran LJ, Dunstan JR, Nelson MJ, Mathai ML, Wycherley TP. A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189591. [PMID: 34574516 PMCID: PMC8471812 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The effect of the menstrual cycle on athlete performance, wellbeing and perceived exertion and fatigue is not well understood. Furthermore, it has not been investigated specifically in Australian Football athletes. This pilot study aimed to explore how naturally menstruating Australian Football athletes may be affected by menstrual cycle phase. The data collected from the routine monitoring of five naturally menstruating athletes (average menstrual cycle length of 28 ± 3 [SD] days) in one team (athlete age range 18–35 years) competing in the Women’s Australian Football League during the 2019 season were retrospectively analysed to compare performance (countermovement jump parameters and adductor squeeze pressure), perceived exertion, perceived fatigue and wellbeing (perceived sleep quality, stress and soreness) outcomes between the follicular and luteal phases. Performance, perceived exertion, stress and soreness did not appear to be affected by menstrual cycle phase (p > 0.17). However, perceived fatigue appeared to be significantly greater (p = 0.042) and sleep quality worse (p = 0.005) in the luteal phase. This pilot study suggests further research focusing on the effect of menstrual cycle phase on subjective fatigue and wellbeing is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaeli A. Carmichael
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (R.L.T.); (J.R.D.); (M.J.N.); (T.P.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rebecca L. Thomson
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (R.L.T.); (J.R.D.); (M.J.N.); (T.P.W.)
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Lisa J. Moran
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia;
| | - Joel R. Dunstan
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (R.L.T.); (J.R.D.); (M.J.N.); (T.P.W.)
| | - Maximillian J. Nelson
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (R.L.T.); (J.R.D.); (M.J.N.); (T.P.W.)
| | - Michael L. Mathai
- Institute for Health and Sport, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia;
| | - Thomas P. Wycherley
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (R.L.T.); (J.R.D.); (M.J.N.); (T.P.W.)
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13
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Kennedy KER, Onyeonwu C, Nowakowski S, Hale L, Branas CC, Killgore WDS, Wills CCA, Grandner MA. Menstrual regularity and bleeding is associated with sleep duration, sleep quality and fatigue in a community sample. J Sleep Res 2021; 31:e13434. [PMID: 34404109 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Female menstrual health and its relationship with sleep is an understudied subject. The aim of this investigation was to determine the association between the two in a community sample. Data were obtained from n = 579 menstruating females who participated in the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study, a community-based sample of adults aged 22-60 years. Participants were asked, "How regular is your period?", with response choices of "very regular", "mostly regular", "fairly regular" and "not regular". They were also asked, "How much bleeding do you usually experience during your period?" Response choices were: "very heavy", "heavy", "medium", "light" or "very light". These were evaluated as ordinal outcomes. Sleep-related predictors included sleep duration (in hr; ≤ 6 [short], 7-9 [normal] and ≥ 9 [long]), Insomnia Severity Index score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score and Fatigue Severity Scale score. Covariates included age, education, income, race/ethnicity and body mass index. Short sleep duration was associated with heavier bleeding (odds ratio = 1.46, p = 0.026) and greater cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.44, p = 0.031) as compared with normal sleep. Higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was associated with greater cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.05, p = 0.022). Higher Fatigue Severity Scale score was associated with heavier bleeding (odds ratio = 1.02, p = 0.003) and greater cycle irregularity (odds ratio = 1.02, p = 0.008). Long sleep, Insomnia Severity Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were not associated with either outcome. These results demonstrate an association between short sleep duration, poor sleep quality, fatigue, stress and depression with heavier bleeding and menstrual cycle irregularity, highlighting the need for further studies to improve treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E R Kennedy
- Sleep and Health Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Chidera Onyeonwu
- Sleep and Health Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sara Nowakowski
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lauren Hale
- Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Program in Public Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Charles C Branas
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Chloe C A Wills
- Sleep and Health Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Michael A Grandner
- Sleep and Health Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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14
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Koikawa N, Takami Y, Kawasaki Y, Kawana F, Shiroshita N, Ogasawara E, Kasai T. Changes in the objective measures of sleep between the initial nights of menses and the nights during the midfollicular phase of the menstrual cycle in collegiate female athletes. J Clin Sleep Med 2021; 16:1745-1751. [PMID: 32666918 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.8692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Sleep is an important recovery period for athletes. Women, including athletes, have reported sleep disturbances around menses. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the changes in objective sleep parameters in the nights during menses and in the midfollicular phase of the menstrual cycle of young female athletes. METHODS Female collegiate athletes with regular menstrual cycles were recruited. The participants underwent home electroencephalogram monitoring during the first and second nights after the onset of menses (M1 and M2, respectively) and during one night between the 7th and the 10th night after menses onset (midfollicular phase). RESULTS Data from 45 athletes were analyzed. The total sleep time was significantly reduced, and sleep onset latency was significantly prolonged in M2 compared with those in the night during the midfollicular phase. Sleep efficiency was significantly reduced in M1 compared with that in the night during the midfollicular phase. Changes in the percentage of deep sleep across menstrual cycles differed among the participants with and without menstrual symptoms or concerns for sanitary products; moreover, such participants spent a lower percentage of time in deep sleep in M1 compared with the other nights. CONCLUSIONS Collegiate female athletes with regular menstrual cycles are likely to have trouble falling asleep, tend to sleep less, and when concerned about sanitary products, have less deep sleep during menses. Even in young female athletes with regular menstrual cycles, sleep can be disturbed during menses. Interventions to restore or improve sleep should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsue Koikawa
- Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sports, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yukiko Takami
- Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yu Kawasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fusae Kawana
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nanako Shiroshita
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Cardiovascular Management and Remote Monitoring, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Ogasawara
- Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sports, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Kasai
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Sleep Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Cardiovascular Management and Remote Monitoring, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Sleep and Sleep-Disordered Breathing Center, Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Alonso A, Genzel L, Gomez A. Sex and Menstrual Phase Influences on Sleep and Memory. CURRENT SLEEP MEDICINE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40675-020-00201-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Purposes of Review
This review highlights the effect of sex differences in sleep mediated memory consolidation and cognitive performance. In addition, the role of menstrual cycle and the fluctuating level of sexual hormones (mainly oestrogen and progesterone) are stressed.
Recent Findings
The literature indicates that sex hormones mediate and orchestrate the differences observed in performance of females in comparison with males in a variety of tasks and can also be related to how sleep benefits cognition. Although the exact mechanism of such influence is not clear, it most likely involves differential activation of brain areas, sensitivity to neuromodulators (mainly oestrogen), circadian regulation of sleep and temperature, as well as modification of strategies to solve tasks across the menstrual cycle.
Summary
With the evidence presented here, we hope to encourage researchers to develop appropriate paradigms to study the complex relationship between menstrual cycle, sleep (its regulation, architecture and electrophysiological hallmarks) and performance in memory and other cognitive tasks.
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16
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Plamberger CP, Van Wijk HE, Kerschbaum H, Pletzer BA, Gruber G, Oberascher K, Dresler M, Hahn MA, Hoedlmoser K. Impact of menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptives on sleep and overnight memory consolidation. J Sleep Res 2020; 30:e13239. [PMID: 33348471 PMCID: PMC8365641 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sleep spindles benefit declarative memory consolidation and are considered to be a biological marker for general cognitive abilities. However, the impact of sexual hormones and hormonal oral contraceptives (OCs) on these relationships are less clear. Thus, we here investigated the influence of endogenous progesterone levels of naturally cycling women and women using OCs on nocturnal sleep and overnight memory consolidation. Nineteen healthy women using OCs (MAge = 21.4, SD = 2.1 years) were compared to 43 healthy women with a natural menstrual cycle (follicular phase: n = 16, MAge = 21.4, SD = 3.1 years; luteal phase: n = 27, MAge = 22.5, SD = 3.6 years). Sleep spindle density and salivary progesterone were measured during an adaptation and an experimental night. A word pair association task preceding the experimental night followed by two recalls (pre‐sleep and post‐sleep) was performed to test declarative memory performance. We found that memory performance improved overnight in all women. Interestingly, women using OCs (characterized by a low endogenous progesterone level but with very potent synthetic progestins) and naturally cycling women during the luteal phase (characterized by a high endogenous progesterone level) had a higher fast sleep spindle density compared to naturally cycling women during the follicular phase (characterized by a low endogenous progesterone level). Furthermore, we observed a positive correlation between endogenous progesterone level and fast spindle density in women during the luteal phase. Results suggest that the use of OCs and the menstrual cycle phase affects sleep spindles and therefore should be considered in further studies investigating sleep spindles and cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen Elisabeth Van Wijk
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.,Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert Kerschbaum
- Department of Cell Biology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Belinda Angela Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Georg Gruber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Oberascher
- Department of Cell Biology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Michael Andreas Hahn
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Kerstin Hoedlmoser
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Bei
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne,
- Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital,
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University,
| | - Soledad Coo
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne,
| | - Fiona C Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International,
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand,
| | - John Trinder
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne,
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18
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Baker FC, Siboza F, Fuller A. Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle. Temperature (Austin) 2020; 7:226-262. [PMID: 33123618 PMCID: PMC7575238 DOI: 10.1080/23328940.2020.1735927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Core body temperature changes across the ovulatory menstrual cycle, such that it is 0.3°C to 0.7°C higher in the post-ovulatory luteal phase when progesterone is high compared with the pre-ovulatory follicular phase. This temperature difference, which is most evident during sleep or immediately upon waking before any activity, is used by women as a retrospective indicator of an ovulatory cycle. Here, we review both historical and current literature aimed at characterizing changes in core body temperature across the menstrual cycle, considering the assessment of the circadian rhythm of core body temperature and thermoregulatory responses to challenges, including heat and cold exposure, exercise, and fever. We discuss potential mechanisms for the thermogenic effect of progesterone and the temperature-lowering effect of estrogen, and discuss effects on body temperature of exogenous formulations of these hormones as contained in oral contraceptives. We review new wearable temperature sensors aimed at tracking daily temperature changes of women across multiple menstrual cycles and highlight the need for future research on the validity and reliability of these devices. Despite the change in core body temperature across the menstrual cycle being so well identified, there remain gaps in our current understanding, particularly about the underlying mechanisms and microcircuitry involved in the temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona C. Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, USA
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Felicia Siboza
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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19
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Dan O, Haimov I, Asraf K, Nachum K, Cohen A. The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Recognition of Ambiguous Emotional Facial Expressions in Individuals With ADHD. J Atten Disord 2020; 24:565-575. [PMID: 29973106 DOI: 10.1177/1087054718785473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The present study sought to investigate whether young adults with ADHD have more difficulty recognizing emotional facial expressions compared with young adults without ADHD, and whether such a difference worsens following sleep deprivation. Method: Thirty-one young men (M = 25.6) with (n = 15) or without (n = 16) a diagnosis of ADHD were included in this study. The participants were instructed to sleep 7 hr or more each night for one week, and their sleep quality was monitored via actigraph. Subsequently, the participants were kept awake in a controlled environment for 30 hr. The participants completed a visual emotional morph task twice-at the beginning and at the end of this period. The task included presentation of interpolated face stimuli ranging from neutral facial expressions to fully emotional facial expressions of anger, sadness, or happiness, allowing for assessment of the intensity threshold for recognizing these facial emotional expressions. Results: Actigraphy data demonstrated that while the nightly sleep duration of the participants with ADHD was similar to that of participants without ADHD, their sleep efficiency was poorer. At the onset of the experiment, there were no differences in recognition thresholds between the participants with ADHD and those without ADHD. Following sleep deprivation, however, the ADHD group required clearer facial expressions to recognize the presence of angry, sad, and, to a lesser extent, happy faces. Conclusion: Among young adults with ADHD, sleep deprivation may hinder the processing of emotional facial stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orrie Dan
- The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel
| | - Iris Haimov
- The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel
| | - Kfir Asraf
- The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel
| | - Kesem Nachum
- The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel
| | - Ami Cohen
- The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Israel
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20
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Bozzolino C, Vaglio S, Amante E, Alladio E, Gerace E, Salomone A, Vincenti M. Individual and cyclic estrogenic profile in women: Structure and variability of the data. Steroids 2019; 150:108432. [PMID: 31279660 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2019.108432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of estrogens in the body fluids of women is highly variable, due to the menstrual cycle, circadian oscillations, and other physiological and pathological causes. To date, only the cyclic fluctuations of the principal estrogens (estradiol and estrone) have been studied, with limited outcome of general significance. Aim of the present study was to examine in detail the cyclic variability of a wide estrogens' panel and to interpret it by multivariate statistics. Four estrogens (17α-estradiol, 17β-estradiol, estrone, estriol) and eleven of their metabolites (4-methoxyestrone, 2-methoxyestrone, 16α-hydroxyestrone, 4-hydroxyestrone, 2-hydroxyestrone, 4-methoxyestradiol, 2-methoxyestradiol, 4-hydroxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestradiol, estriol, 16-epiestriol, and 17-epiestriol) were determined in urine by a gas chromatography - mass spectrometry method, which was developed by design of experiments and fully validated according to ISO 17025 requirements. Then, urine samples collected every morning for a complete menstrual cycle from 9 female volunteers aged 24-35 years (1 parous) were analysed. The resulting three-dimensional data (subjects × days × estrogens) were interpreted using several statistical tools. Parallel Factor Analysis compared the estrogen profiles in order to explore the cyclic and inter-individual variability of each analyte. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided clear separation of the sampling days along the cycle, allowing discrimination among the luteal, ovulation, and follicular phases. The scores obtained from PCA were used to build a Linear Discriminant Analysis classification model which enhanced the recognition of the three cycle's phases, yielding an overall classification non-error rate equal to 90%. These statistical models may find prospective application in fertility studies and the investigation of endocrinology disorders and other hormone-dependent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bozzolino
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Sara Vaglio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Eleonora Amante
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Eugenio Alladio
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy.
| | - Enrico Gerace
- Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Alberto Salomone
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Marco Vincenti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy; Centro Regionale Antidoping e di Tossicologia "A. Bertinaria", regione Gonzole 10/1, 10043 Orbassano, TO, Italy
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21
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Kang W, Jang KH, Lim HM, Ahn JS, Park WJ. The menstrual cycle associated with insomnia in newly employed nurses performing shift work: a 12-month follow-up study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2018; 92:227-235. [PMID: 30386870 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1371-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate whether insomnia among newly-employed shift-working nurses is associated with menstrual cycle irregularity. METHODS We followed 287 nurses employed between 2015 and 2016 for 12 months. An Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was completed to determine levels of insomnia 6 months after beginning work. At baseline and at 12-month follow-up, menstrual cycle information was obtained using clinical interviews. We analyzed baseline data separately by prevalence (participants with menstrual irregularity, n = 287) and incidence (participants with no reported menstrual irregularity, n = 238). RESULTS In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, including age, body mass index, and physical activity, insomnia was associated with a 2.05-fold increase in the odds of newly developing menstrual cycle irregularity compared with not having insomnia [odds ratio (OR) 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-3.77]. Insomnia was associated with a 3.05-fold increase in the prevalence of menstrual cycle irregularity compared with not having insomnia (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.81-5.13). As the ISI score increased, both the incidence and prevalence odds of menstrual cycle irregularity tended to increase. CONCLUSIONS Insomnia can induce menstrual cycle irregularity among nurses working shifts, and insomnia may have an important role in the pathway from shift work to menstrual dysfunction, aside from the possible effects of circadian rhythm disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- WonYang Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 322, Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun-Ho Jang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Mokpo Christian Hospital, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong-Min Lim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 322, Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Sung Ahn
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 322, Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, 58128, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ju Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 322, Seoyang-ro, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, 58128, Republic of Korea.
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22
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23
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Baker FC, Sattari N, de Zambotti M, Goldstone A, Alaynick WA, Mednick SC. Impact of sex steroids and reproductive stage on sleep-dependent memory consolidation in women. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 160:118-131. [PMID: 29574082 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Age and sex are two of the three major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (ApoE-e4 allele is the third), with women having a twofold greater risk for Alzheimer's disease after the age of 75 years. Sex differences have been shown across a wide range of cognitive skills in young and older adults, and evidence supports a role for sex steroids, especially estradiol, in protecting against the development of cognitive decline in women. Sleep may also be a protective factor against age-related cognitive decline, since specific electrophysiological sleep events (e.g. sleep spindle/slow oscillation coupling) are critical for offline memory consolidation. Furthermore, studies in young women have shown fluctuations in sleep events and sleep-dependent memory consolidation during different phases of the menstrual cycle that are associated with the levels of sex steroids. An under-appreciated possibility is that there may be an important interaction between these two protective factors (sex steroids and sleep) that may play a role in daily fluctuations in cognitive processing, in particular memory, across a woman's lifespan. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of sex steroid-dependent influences on sleep and cognition across the lifespan in women, with special emphasis on sleep-dependent memory processing. We further indicate gaps in knowledge that require further experimental examination in order to fully appreciate the complex and changing landscape of sex steroids and cognition. Lastly, we propose a series of testable predictions for how sex steroids impact sleep events and sleep-dependent cognition across the three major reproductive stages in women (reproductive years, menopause transition, and post-menopause).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona C Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Negin Sattari
- UC Irvine, Department of Cognitive Sciences, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | | | - Aimee Goldstone
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | | | - Sara C Mednick
- UC Irvine, Department of Cognitive Sciences, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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24
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Cunningham JEA, Jones SAH, Eskes GA, Rusak B. Acute Sleep Restriction Has Differential Effects on Components of Attention. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:499. [PMID: 30425658 PMCID: PMC6218409 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inadequate nightly sleep duration can impair daytime functioning, including interfering with attentional and other cognitive processes. Current models posit that attention is a complex function regulated by several separate, but interacting, neural systems responsible for vigilance, orienting, and executive control. However, it is not clear to what extent each of these underlying component processes is affected by sleep loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute sleep restriction on these attentional components using the Dalhousie Computerized Attention Battery (DalCAB). DalCAB tasks were administered to healthy women (aged 19-25 years) on two consecutive mornings: once after a night with 9 h time in bed (TIB), and once again after either another night with 9 h TIB (control condition, n = 19) or after a night with 3 h TIB (sleep restriction condition, n = 20). Self-ratings of sleepiness and mood were also obtained following each sleep condition. Participants showed increases in self-reported sleepiness and fatigue after the second night only in the sleep restriction group. Sleep restriction primarily affected processing speed on tasks measuring vigilance; however, performance deficits were also observed on some measures of executive function (e.g., go/no-go task, flanker task, working memory). Tasks assessing orienting of attention were largely unaffected. These results indicate that acute sleep restriction has differential effects on distinct components of attention, which should be considered in modeling the impacts of sleep loss on the underlying attentional networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmyn E A Cunningham
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Gail A Eskes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Benjamin Rusak
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Chronobiology and Sleep Program, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
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25
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Schwarz JFA, Åkerstedt T, Lindberg E, Gruber G, Fischer H, Theorell-Haglöw J. Age affects sleep microstructure more than sleep macrostructure. J Sleep Res 2017; 26:277-287. [DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna F. A. Schwarz
- Stress Research Institute; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Åkerstedt
- Stress Research Institute; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Eva Lindberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | | | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Jenny Theorell-Haglöw
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
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26
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Romans SE, Kreindler D, Einstein G, Laredo S, Petrovic MJ, Stanley J. Sleep quality and the menstrual cycle. Sleep Med 2015; 16:489-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2014.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Sharkey KM, Crawford SL, Kim S, Joffe H. Objective sleep interruption and reproductive hormone dynamics in the menstrual cycle. Sleep Med 2014; 15:688-93. [PMID: 24841109 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Women report greater sleep disturbance during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle and during menses. However, the putative hormonal basis of perceived menstrual cycle-related sleep disturbance has not been investigated directly. We examined associations of objective measures of sleep fragmentation with reproductive hormone levels in healthy, premenopausal women. METHODS Twenty-seven women with monthly menses had hormone levels measured at two time points during a single menstrual cycle: the follicular phase and the peri-ovulatory to mid-luteal phase. A single night of home polysomnography (PSG) was recorded on the day of the peri-ovulatory/mid-luteal-phase blood draw. Serum progesterone, estradiol, and estrone levels concurrent with PSG and rate of change in progesterone (PROGslope) from the follicular blood draw to PSG were correlated with log-transformed wake after sleep onset (lnWASO%) and number of wakes/hour of sleep (lnWake-Index) using linear regression. RESULTS Sleep was more fragmented in association with a steeper PROGslope (lnWASO% p=0.016; lnWake-Index p=0.08) and higher concurrent estrone level (lnWASO% p=0.03; lnWake-Index p=0.01), but the effect of estrone on WASO was lost after accounting for PROGslope. WASO% and Wake-Index were not associated with concomitant progesterone or estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS A steeper rate of rise in progesterone levels from the follicular phase through the mid-luteal phase was associated with significantly greater WASO, establishing a link between reproductive hormone dynamics and sleep fragmentation in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Sharkey
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, 300 Duncan Drive, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sybil L Crawford
- Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Shaw Building Room 228, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Semmie Kim
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hadine Joffe
- Women's Hormones and Aging Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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28
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Cusmano DM, Hadjimarkou MM, Mong JA. Gonadal steroid modulation of sleep and wakefulness in male and female rats is sexually differentiated and neonatally organized by steroid exposure. Endocrinology 2014; 155:204-14. [PMID: 24189140 PMCID: PMC3868804 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The paucity of clinical and preclinical studies investigating sex differences in sleep has resulted in mixed findings as to the exact nature of these differences. Although gonadal steroids are known to modulate sleep in females, less is known about males. Moreover, little evidence exists concerning the origin of these sex differences in sleep behavior. Thus, the goal of this study was to directly compare the sensitivity of sleep behavior in male and female Sprague Dawley rats to changes in the gonadal steroid milieu and to test whether the sex differences in sleep are the result of brain sexual differentiation or differences in circulating gonadal steroids. Here we report the magnitude of change in sleep behavior induced by either estradiol (E2) or testosterone (T) was greater in females compared with males, suggesting that sleep behavior in females is more sensitive to the suppressive effects of gonadal steroids. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the organizational effects of early gonadal steroid exposure result in male-like responsivity to gonadal steroids and directly alter the activity of the ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), an established sleep-promoting nucleus, in adult masculinized females. Moreover, the nonaromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone did not suppress sleep in either males or females, suggesting that the T-mediated effect in females was due to the aromatization of T into E2. Together our data suggest that, like sex behavior, sex differences in sleep follow the classical organizational/activational effects of gonadal steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Cusmano
- Program in Neuroscience (D.M.C., J.A.M.) and Department of Pharmacology (D.M.C., M.M.H., J.A.M.), University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; and Department of Psychology (M.M.H.), University of Nicosia, 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus
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29
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Baker FC, Sassoon SA, Kahan T, Palaniappan L, Nicholas CL, Trinder J, Colrain IM. Perceived poor sleep quality in the absence of polysomnographic sleep disturbance in women with severe premenstrual syndrome. J Sleep Res 2012; 21:535-45. [PMID: 22417163 PMCID: PMC3376683 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2012.01007.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Women with severe premenstrual syndrome report sleep-related complaints in the late-luteal phase, but few studies have characterized sleep disturbances prospectively. This study evaluated sleep quality subjectively and objectively using polysomnographic and quantitative electroencephalographic measures in women with severe premenstrual syndrome. Eighteen women with severe premenstrual syndrome (30.5 ± 7.6 years) and 18 women with minimal symptoms (controls, 29.2 ± 7.3 years) had polysomnographic recordings on one night in each of the follicular and late-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Women with premenstrual syndrome reported poorer subjective sleep quality when symptomatic in the late-luteal phase compared with the follicular phase (P < 0.05). However, there were no corresponding changes in objective sleep quality. Women with premenstrual syndrome had more slow-wave sleep and slow-wave activity than controls at both menstrual phases (P < 0.05). They also had higher trait-anxiety, depression, fatigue and perceived stress levels than controls at both phases (P < 0.05) and mood worsened in the late-luteal phase. Both groups showed similar menstrual-phase effects on sleep, with increased spindle frequency activity and shorter rapid eye movement sleep episodes in the late-luteal phase. In women with premenstrual syndrome, a poorer subjective sleep quality correlated with higher anxiety (r = -0.64, P = 0.005) and more perceived nighttime awakenings (r = -0.50, P = 0.03). Our findings show that women with premenstrual syndrome perceive their sleep quality to be poorer in the absence of polysomnographically defined poor sleep. Anxiety has a strong impact on sleep quality ratings, suggesting that better control of mood symptoms in women with severe premenstrual syndrome may lead to better subjective sleep quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona C Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
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30
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Miller NL, Shattuck LG, Matsangas P. Longitudinal study of sleep patterns of United States Military Academy cadets. Sleep 2011; 33:1623-31. [PMID: 21120124 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/33.12.1623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The study provided an opportunity to observe sleep patterns in a college-age population attending the United States Military Academy. DESIGN This 4-year longitudinal study investigated sleep patterns of cadets. A stratified sample of 80 cadets had sleep patterns monitored using actigraphy for 8 months: one month in both fall and spring academic semesters over a 4-year period. SETTING Data were collected at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. PARTICIPANTS Participants were members of the class of 2007 (n˜1300) ranging in age from 17 to 22 when entering USMA. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS A sample of the class (n=80) wore wrist activity monitors and completed activity logs for one month in fall and spring academic semesters for the 4-year period. On average over the 4 years, cadets slept<5.5 h on school nights. Cadets napped extensively, perhaps in an attempt to compensate for chronic sleep debt. Cadets slept more during fall than spring semesters. Male and female cadet sleep patterns varied dramatically, with males consistently receiving less sleep than females (˜21 m for nighttime sleep and ˜23 m for daily sleep). CONCLUSIONS Cadet sleep at USMA is related to academic year, semester, season, sex, school day or weekend, and day of the week. These students suffer from chronic sleep debt. Restrictions imposed by the military academy limit the generalizability of the findings to other college age populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nita Lewis Miller
- Naval Postgraduate School, Operations Research Department, MOVES Institute, Monterey, CA 93943, USA.
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Reduced parasympathetic activity during sleep in the symptomatic phase of severe premenstrual syndrome. J Psychosom Res 2008; 65:13-22. [PMID: 18582607 PMCID: PMC2519123 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2008] [Accepted: 04/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common distressing disorder in women that manifests during the premenstrual (late-luteal) phase of the ovulatory menstrual cycle. There is some evidence that altered autonomic function may be an important component of PMS, but few studies have used heart rate variability (HRV) as a sensitive marker of autonomic activity in severe PMS, and findings are conflicting. METHODS We investigated HRV during sleep, a state that is relatively free of external disruptions, in 9 women with severe PMS and 12 controls. RESULTS The normal-to-normal (NN) RR interval was shorter during the sleep period in women with PMS than in controls in both the follicular and the late-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. The standard deviation of all NN intervals, a measure of total variability in the interbeat interval, was lower during the sleep period in the late-luteal phase than in the follicular phase in women with PMS. The square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals, a measure reflecting high-frequency (HF) activity, showed a similar pattern. HF power, a marker of parasympathetic activity, was lower during non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) and REM sleep in the late-luteal phase than in the follicular phase in women with severe PMS. Controls had a shorter NN interval, but similar HRV measures, in the late-luteal phase compared with the follicular phase. CONCLUSION These results suggest that women with severe PMS have decreased parasympathetic activity during sleep in association with their premenstrual symptoms in the late-luteal phase compared with the follicular phase when they are symptom-free.
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