Non-randomised trial, 2005
Do women with PMS have worse balance during their menstrual cycle?
Women with PMS showed worse balance when standing on one leg during the late cycle phase, but women without PMS did not. This small study suggests balance problems in PMS may be real and linked to hormonal changes.
What they did
A nonrandomized trial measuring balance in 25 women (32 recruited) with and without PMS symptoms across three phases of their natural menstrual cycle. Balance was tested using a force platform while standing on both legs and one leg, with eyes open and closed.
What they found
In one-legged stance with eyes open, women with PMS had significantly more postural sway in the mid-luteal phase compared to other phases. Women without PMS showed no differences across cycle phases. No differences were found in two-legged stance.
What it means for you
Balance problems in PMS may be real and linked to hormone changes in the luteal phase, potentially explaining higher injury rates reported in women with PMS. However, the study was small and used a lab-based test that may not reflect real-world balance.
25
women included in analysis
32
women recruited
3
menstrual cycle phases tested
About the study
- Original title
- Altered postural control during the luteal phase in women with premenstrual symptoms
- Authors
- Fridén C, Ramsey DK, Backstrom T et al.
- Journal
- Neuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 25
- What was tested
- None; observation of natural menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000086592