Resting heart rate (HR) in women with and without premenstrual symptoms (PMS)

J Behav Med. 1991 Apr;14(2):125-39. doi: 10.1007/BF00846175.

Abstract

A sample of 64 undergraduate female students participated in the present experiment. During 3 consecutive months women answered a chart of daily report of symptoms, and finally, two groups were formed: women with premenstrual symptoms (PMS group) and women without premenstrual symptoms (NPMS group). Heart rates (HR) at rest were recorded throughout premenstrual, menstrual, postmenstrual, and ovulatory phases. In the premenstrual phase, PMS group showed significantly higher resting HR levels than NPMS group. With regard to resting HR levels across the four phases studied, significant differences within PMS group were observed. Our results are discussed from a psychophysiological point of view.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Electrocardiography
  • Estrogens / physiology
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Menstrual Cycle / physiology*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / physiology
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Research Design

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Neurotransmitter Agents