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.
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.
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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