---
title: How do immune cells change during menstruation and what role do they play in heavy bleeding and endometriosis?
description: A review found that menstruation is an inflammatory process where immune cells change significantly, especially before and during the period. These changes ma
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/immunology-of-normal-and-abnormal-menstruation-2013/
---

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- How do immune cells change during menstruation and what role do they play in heavy bleeding and endometriosis?

Review, 2013

# How do immune cells change during menstruation and what role do they play in heavy bleeding and endometriosis?

A review found that menstruation is an inflammatory process where immune cells change significantly, especially before and during the period. These changes may explain symptoms in women with heavy bleeding or endometriosis, but more research is needed.

 Moderate study design

Review of studies on normal and abnormal menstruation

## What they did

This is a literature review of studies on immune cell changes during the menstrual cycle and their role in normal and abnormal menstruation.

## What they found

Menstruation is an inflammatory process where immune cell concentrations and functions change greatly through the cycle, especially during the premenstrual and menstrual phases. Multiple immune cell types are involved: uterine natural killer cells, macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and regulatory T cells. These cells help with mucosal protection, tissue breakdown, repair, and remodeling. Disturbances in immune cell numbers, distributions, and functions are found in women with heavy bleeding or endometriosis.

## What it means for you

Immune system activity is a normal part of menstruation and changes throughout the cycle. Changes in this system may explain symptoms in heavy bleeding and endometriosis. The main limitation is that this is an under-researched area that needs modern techniques to fully understand immune cell roles.

6

Key immune cell types: NK, macrophages, mast, neutrophils, dendritic, Tregs

## About the study

Original title Immunology of normal and abnormal menstruation Authors Berbic M, Fraser IS Journal Women's health (London, England) Year 2013 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable. This is a review of immune processes. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2217/whe.13.32](https://doi.org/10.2217/whe.13.32)

## Topics

[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)

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