Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> This study investigates the effects of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive (OCP) cycles on peripheral vascular circulation in the lower limbs of healthy childbearing-age women across different phases of the menstrual c...

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Main Authors: Iman Akef Khowailed, Lena Volland, Ibrahim Moustafa, Cheryl Peters-Brinkerhoff, Abdulrahman M. Alsubiheen, Haneul Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Medicina
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/389
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Summary:<i>Background and Objectives:</i> This study investigates the effects of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive (OCP) cycles on peripheral vascular circulation in the lower limbs of healthy childbearing-age women across different phases of the menstrual cycle. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Fourteen eumenorrheic non-oral contraceptive (non-OCP) users (mean age 28.9 ± 3.5 years; height 165.0 ± 5.8 cm; weight 66.8 ± 11.2 kg) were evaluated during the follicular and ovulatory phases. Fifteen monophasic oral contraceptive (OCP) users (mean age 26.4 ± 2.67 years; height 162.3 ± 8.1 cm; weight 62.0 ± 9.8 kg) were assessed during their placebo and active pill phases. Doppler recordings of the femoral and popliteal arteries were obtained, and standard Doppler indices (systolic/diastolic ratio, pulsatility index, and resistance index) were analyzed across the menstrual and OCP cycles. <i>Results:</i> There were no significant interactions in the standard Doppler indices for the popliteal and femoral arteries between the menstrual phases and user groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Additionally, no significant group effects were observed between non-OCP users and OCP users, nor were there significant phase effects in any of the Doppler index variables (<i>p</i> > 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> Peripheral vascular function remained stable across menstrual and OCP phases, suggesting minimal impact of hormonal fluctuations on blood flow characteristics in young, healthy females.
ISSN:1010-660X
1648-9144