Comparative Study of Cardiovascular Reactivity to Cold Pain in Dysmenorrheic Women and Non Dysmenorrheic Women Across Menstrual Cycle

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic disorder among female adolescents, with a prevalence of 60% to 93%. Primary dysmenorrhea, painful menstruation without pelvic abnormalities, may be associated with vomiting, fatigue, back pain, headaches, dizziness, and diarrhoea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a comparative and cross sectional Study. Thirty one dysmenorrheic women and non dysmenorrheic women between the age group of 18-26 years participated in this study. All participants satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria and gave informed consent. We performed Cold Pressor Test on 1st, 14th and 21st day of menstrual cycle denoting the menstrual phase, late follicular phase and luteal phase on the participants. Radial pulse rate was recorded before and after the Cold Pressor test, expressed in beats per minute. Blood pressure was recorded in sitting position just before and after immersion using sphygmomanometer, expressed as mmHg. RESULTS: The SBP difference was highest in the dysmenorrheic women (10.52±2.68) when compared to non dymenorrheic women (8.52±1.93) on the 1st day which was statistically significant. The SBP change was lowest on the 14th day in the dysmenorrheic women (6.52±2.42) when compared to non dymenorrheic women (3.74±1.00) which is statistically significant. The DBP difference was highest in the dysmenorrheic women (4.90±1.54) when compared to non dymenorrheic women (4.06±0.63) on the 1st day which was moderately significant. The DBP change was lowest on the 14th day in the dysmenorrheic women (4.06±1.50) when compared to non dymenorrheic women (2.26±0.68) which is statistically significant. In dysmenorrheic women, there was difference in pulse rate when comparing the 3 episodes that is 1st, 14th day & 21st day. In non dysmenorrheic women, there was difference in pulse rate when comparing the 3 episodes that is 1st, 14th day & 21st day. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that dysmenorrheic women had increased cardiovascular response to experimental pain across menstrual cycle when compared to non dysmenorrheic women which could be attributed to activation of Sympatho -adrenal medullary system.