Cohort study, 2009
Do balance and hearing tests change during different phases of the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Some balance tests showed significant differences when women were tested before versus after menstruation, suggesting hormones affect balance function.
What they did
Prospective cohort study of 20 healthy women aged 18-35 who were not using contraception for at least 6 months. Each woman underwent balance and hearing tests twice, once within 10 days before menstruation and once within 10 days after menstruation.
What they found
Significant differences were found in four types of balance tests: calibration, saccadic movements (eye tracking), PRPD, and caloric-induced nystagmus (eye response to temperature changes). The study also noted that age, regular menstrual cycles, family history of hearing loss or dizziness, and premenstrual symptoms like tinnitus, headache, sleep disorders, anxiety, nausea, and heightened hearing sensitivity can affect balance test results.
What it means for you
Hormones may affect balance function during the menstrual cycle, which could explain dizziness some women experience. However, this was a very small study that couldn't clearly separate hormonal effects from other factors like anxiety and sleep problems that often occur together with hormonal changes.
20
women in study
4
types of balance tests showing significant changes
10 days
window for testing before or after menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Vestibular characterization in the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Ishii C, Nishino LK, Campos CA
- Journal
- Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None; observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s1808-8694(15)30655-8
Original abstract
Unlabelled: Hormonal disorders in the menstrual cycle can affect labyrinthine fluid homeostasis, causing balance and hearing dysfunctions. Study design: Clinical prospective. Aim: compare the results from vestibular tests in young women, in the premenstrual and postmenstrual periods. Materials and methods: twenty women were selected with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years, who were not using any kind of contraceptive method for at least six months, and without vestibular or hearing complaints. The test was carried out in each subject before and after the menstrual period, respecting the limit of ten days before or after menstruation. Results: there was a statistically significant difference in the menstrual cycle phases only in the following vestibular tests: calibration, saccadic movements, PRPD and caloric-induced nystagmus. We also noticed that age; a regular menstrual cycle; hearing loss or dizziness cases in the family; and premenstrual symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, sleep disorders, anxiety, nausea and hyperacusis can interfere in the vestibular test. Conclusion: there are differences in the vestibular tests of healthy women when comparing their pre and postmenstrual periods.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
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