Forearm blood flow in the normal menstrual cycle

The peripheral hemodynamics of the normal menstrual cycle were investigated in twenty-two healthy young women. The total blood flow in a segment of the forearm, as measured by plethysmography and local vascular resistance, were estimated both at rest and during postischemic reactive hyperemia in eight subjects. Resting cutaneous blood flow was measured in 14 subjects using 133Xe clearance method. No significant differences were observed between the results obtained in the pre- and postovulatory phases of the cycle.