Effect of premenstrual stress on autonomic function

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome is a psychoneuro endocrine stress related disorder. PURPOSE: To study the effect of premenstrual stress on autonomic function. METHODS: Study of autonomic function basal heart rate, basal blood pressure, systolic & diastolic response to cold stimulus was carried out in 80 Eumenorrheic females age between 18-25 yrs. during premenstrual & post menstrual phase. Subjects were divided in two groups control (n-40), premenstrual syndrome group (n-40) based on presence of symptoms. RESULTS: Increased autonomic nervous activity with significantly increased heart rate, blood pressure, systolic & diastolic response to cold stimulus was observed during premenstrual phase. Difference of mean of autonomic function in pre and post menstrual phase in premenstrual syndrome group was significantly higher than control. CONCLUSION: Change in physiological response in premenstrual syndrome group is because of increased sympathetic activity resulting from modulation of neurotransmitter due to hormonal fluctuation.