Strength training effects on urinary steroid profile across the menstrual cycle in healthy women

Abstract

Some studies suggest that performing strength training may cause alterations on the hypothalamic pituitary axis, resulting in steroid hormone variations. Intense training has been associated to slow the concentrations of estrogens and progesterone in women. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of strength training on the urinary steroid concentrations across the menstrual cycle phases. Twenty healthy women, regularly menstruating and not using pharmacologic contraceptives, performed a strength training during 8 weeks. Participants worked out 3 sets × 10 repetitions, with 2 min recovery time between sets, at 70-75 % of one maximum strength repetition. Urine samples were taken in three different phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, follicular and luteal) and they were collected both before and after training. Testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, cortisone, estradiol and progesterone concentrations were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed a significant decline after training in the urinary excretion of estradiol, during the menstrual and follicular phase, and progesterone, during the menstrual and luteal phase. No significant difference was observed for other steroid hormones. These data demonstrated that strength training can play an important role in the estrogen and progesterone metabolism in women, decreasing their levels across the menstrual cycle.

Variations in strength-related measures during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This is illustrated in the study by Cook and coworkers 41 , which reported significantly higher changes in testosterone values across the menstrual cycle in elite female athletes compared to a group of non-elite but active females. Indeed, training alters the level of circulating androgens 55 and ovarian hormones 56 during the menstrual cycle, thus strength status through the menstrual cycle in well-trained females may differ from that of untrained females. Training status was not used as a moderating variable in the meta-analyses due to the lack of detail provided on strength-training history for participants in most studies.…”

Menstrual Cycle Modulates Motor Learning and Memory Consolidation in Humans

“…Cr levels of all samples were determined for reporting steroid concentrations relative to this fundamental urine parameter. Therefore, PdG and E2 levels were evaluated by the ratio of each biomarker to the urinary Cr level as referenced in previous studies [ 60 , 61 ].…”

Higher Circulating Cortisol in the Follicular vs. Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: A Meta-Analysis

“…Tonic levels of cortisol across the menstrual cycle have been reported as higher for example, (23,24) or unchanged (25,26) in the follicular vs. luteal phase. These discrepancies are rooted in marked methodological differences across studies.…”