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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author Iman Akef Khowailed
Lena Volland
Ibrahim Moustafa
Cheryl Peters-Brinkerhoff
Abdulrahman M. Alsubiheen
Haneul Lee
author_facet Iman Akef Khowailed
Lena Volland
Ibrahim Moustafa
Cheryl Peters-Brinkerhoff
Abdulrahman M. Alsubiheen
Haneul Lee
author_sort Iman Akef Khowailed
collection DOAJ
description <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.
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spelling doaj-art-5cbbdcd4ac1f455ba77ff1fff23148e42025-08-20T01:48:53ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-02-0161338910.3390/medicina61030389Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual CycleIman Akef Khowailed0Lena Volland1Ibrahim Moustafa2Cheryl Peters-Brinkerhoff3Abdulrahman M. Alsubiheen4Haneul Lee5Physical Therapy Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab EmiratesNational Beeding Disorders Foundation, New York, NY 10020, USAPhysical Therapy Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab EmiratesDoctor of Physical Therapy Program, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 01109, USADepartment of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea<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.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/389menstrual cycleblood floworal contraceptiveperipheral vascular functionhormonal fluctuationsDoppler ultrasound
spellingShingle Iman Akef Khowailed
Lena Volland
Ibrahim Moustafa
Cheryl Peters-Brinkerhoff
Abdulrahman M. Alsubiheen
Haneul Lee
Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle
Medicina
menstrual cycle
blood flow
oral contraceptive
peripheral vascular function
hormonal fluctuations
Doppler ultrasound
title Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle
title_full Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle
title_fullStr Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle
title_full_unstemmed Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle
title_short Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle
title_sort doppler ultrasound assessment of blood flow indices in childbearing age women across the menstrual cycle
topic menstrual cycle
blood flow
oral contraceptive
peripheral vascular function
hormonal fluctuations
Doppler ultrasound
url https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/389
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