Menstrual cycle effects on postural stability but not optokinetic function

Neurosci Lett. 2001 Jul 20;307(3):147-50. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(01)01933-4.

Abstract

We investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle on visual-vestibular interaction by measuring optokinetic function and postural stability at different phases of the cycle. Menstrual cycle phase had no significant effect on gaze-holding, optokinetic nystagmus slow phase velocity, amplitude or frequency, circularvection latency or optokinetic afternystagmus frequency, amplitude or duration. While menstrual cycle phase had no significant effect on anterior-posterior sway, it did significantly affect lateral sway (P<0.001), with sway on day 5 significantly greater than on days 12 and 21 (P<0.05 and 0.01, respectively), and sway on day 25 significantly greater than that on day 21 (P<0.05).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
  • Nystagmus, Optokinetic / physiology*
  • Postural Balance / physiology*
  • Posture / physiology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / physiology*
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Vestibular Nuclei / metabolism*

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones