---
title: How does the menstrual cycle affect other medical conditions?
description: Many medical conditions worsen at specific points in the menstrual cycle because of sudden changes in hormone levels. This includes migraines, epilepsy, asthm
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-medical-disorders-1998/
---

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- How does the menstrual cycle affect other medical conditions?

Review, 1998

# How does the menstrual cycle affect other medical conditions?

Many medical conditions worsen at specific points in the menstrual cycle because of sudden changes in hormone levels. This includes migraines, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes.

 Moderate study design

Literature review of published research (not a clinical trial)

## What they did

Review of peer-reviewed English-language scientific literature examining how menstrual cycle phases affect various medical conditions. Focus was on diagnosis and treatment of conditions that flare at specific times in the cycle.

## What they found

Worsening of certain medical conditions at specific menstrual cycle phases is well-recognized. Abrupt changes in ovarian hormones at ovulation and before the period may account for these flares. Medical suppression of ovulation using GnRH agonists (hormone-blocking drugs) can help diagnose and treat severe, recurrent cycle-related disease flares.

## What it means for you

Women with chronic medical conditions should track their symptoms on a menstrual calendar to see if they worsen at certain cycle times. If they do, asking a doctor about hormone-suppressing treatment may help. This is a summary of existing knowledge, not new research.

6

Medical conditions reviewed (migraine, epilepsy, asthma, arthritis, IBS, diabetes)

2

Key cycle phases with hormone changes (ovulation and premenstrual)

## About the study

Original title Effects of the menstrual cycle on medical disorders Authors Case AM, Reid RL Journal Archives of internal medicine Year 1998 Study design Review What was tested Review of GnRH agonist use for managing cycle-related disease flares Read the paper [doi.org/10.1001/archinte.158.13.1405](https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.158.13.1405)

## Topics

[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)

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