Effect of Various Phases of Menstrual Cycle on Autonomic Reactivity to Emotional and Cognitive Stressors
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Researching how women's emotional, cognitive, and cardiovascular changes relate to cyclic changes and its correlation with various stages of the menstrual cycle is crucial. Aim: To assess the effect of various phases of the menstrual cycle on autonomic reactivity to emotional and cognitive stressors. Methods: day of the menstrual cycle depicting the follicular and luteal day after determining phases with prism calendar and basal body temperature. DBP, SBP, and HR were assessed at baseline and following stressors. The results were compared in two phases. Results: At baseline, DBP, SBP, and HR were higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. PASAT showed that HR recovery was 3.30 min and 4.10 min in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. SBP recovery was 2.20 min and 2.50 min in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. DBP recovery was 1.40 min and 2.10 min in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. In the emotional Stroop test positive, word latency was 1256.435 and 1034.52 ms in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. Negative word latency was 1145.784 and 1335.302 ms in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. Conclusions: The luteal phase presents higher SNS reactivity and thus, emotional and cognitive stressors gather more sympathetic activity; finally, a definitive interaction is seen in the gonadal hormones and higher cognitive centers of female subjects.
Authors: Shalini Gupta, Ashi Junaniya, Avani Ahuja, Radha Anjana
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $250
OpenAlex ID: W4409822537