Lab study, 1979
Could hormone changes explain the fluid swelling some women get around their period?
Women with this swelling condition had different patterns of aldosterone, progesterone and renin (substances that control fluid balance) than healthy women, especially in the second half of the cycle. This points to a possible hormone-based cause, but it is a small lab study, not strong proof.
What they did
Researchers measured levels of aldosterone, progesterone and renin activity in the blood of women with unexplained fluid swelling (called idiopathic edema) and in healthy women, at different points across the menstrual cycle.
What they found
In healthy women, aldosterone and renin activity rose together in the second half of the cycle, alongside high progesterone. In women with the swelling condition, aldosterone rose by more while renin activity fell and progesterone stayed low during this same phase. Women with the condition also had higher aldosterone than healthy women in every phase of the cycle, not just the second half.
What it means for you
The pattern of high aldosterone combined with low progesterone in the second half of the cycle may be one of the mechanisms behind this type of premenstrual fluid swelling. The study was small, looked only at hormone measurements rather than any treatment, and does not tell us how to prevent or treat the swelling.
About the study
- Original title
- [Aldosterone and progesterone content and blood renin activity in women with idiopathic edema syndrome in various phases of menstrual cycle]
- Authors
- Atamanova TM, Egart FM, Zelenetskaia VS
- Journal
- Problemy endokrinologii
- Year
- 1979
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- No treatment was tested. Hormone and enzyme levels were measured, not changed.
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/574961/