The relationship between ‘normal’ fluid retention in women and idiopathic oedema

Abstract

Summary:A sample of women attending a gynaecological outpatient clinic were examined for symptoms and objective signs of fluid retention. Patients completed a questionnaire on symptoms suggesting fluid retention and recorded daily weight and abdominal girth variation. Daily weight variation varied from 0-9 pounds (mode 2 pounds) with no discernable difference between premenstrual and intermenstrual variation. Daily girth variation varied from 0-6 inches (mode 1 inch). Symptoms of breast swelling were more common premenstruafly, finger/hand and ankle swelling intermenstrually and abdominal swelling occurred with equal frequency in both periods. No correlation between symptoms and weight variation was seen although abdominal swelling and girth variation were associated (P < 0.04).The results indicate that symptoms of mild fluid retention and of diurnal weight and abdominal girth variation are part of the everyday experience of our study population. There is no clear-cut separation between 'normal' and 'abnormal' fluid retention (idiopathic oedema, periodic oedema, fluid retention syndrome); the latter may be an exaggeration of normal fluid-retaining mechanisms common to most women or may represent a pathological state. An approach which evaluates individual risk factors and the severity of fluid retention in each patient is recommended.

Non‐Surgical Periodontal Therapy Improves Serum Levels of C‐Reactive Protein and Edematous States in Female Patients With Idiopathic Edema

“…These changes may be considered an indirect measure of reduction in edema. Previous studies 35,36 conducted in patients with idiopathic edema have also used similar parameters for the assessment of edema.…”

A study of the renal sodium excretion during the normal menstrual cycle using method of passive leg rising

“…Several authors demonstrated normal renal sodium excretion also in women with premenstrual syndrome and concluded that premenstrual symptoms are unrelated to sodium balance (Denning et al, 1990;Olson et al, 1996). Hussain et al found a significant fall of plasma ANP in the LP in women with premenstrual syndrome.…”

Clinical Characteristics of Overhydration in Patients with Idiopathic Edema

“…A previous study reported no significant relationship between weight gain and symptomatic edema [29] and suggested that factors other than the degree of fluid retention may determine the incidence of this symptom [29]. Furthermore, the majority of women with IE has emotional liability and may also have lower thresholds for the perception of somatic sensations compared with women who are psychologically normal [1,29]. Our study also showed that the proportion of patients with symptomatic edema was higher in women, whereas VO was more commonly observed in men.…”