THE EFFECT OF PHASE OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE ON SYMPATHETIC SKIN RESPONSE AMONG HEALTHY YOUNG INDIAN WOMEN

ABSTRACT: This descriptive study was undertaken to investigate the influence of menstrual cycle on sympathetic skin response (SSR) during different phases of menstrual cycle in young healthy Indian women. A comparison of SSR latencies and amplitudes were done in the follicular, ovulatory and mid luteal phases of menstrual cycle. Fifty women in age group of 18 – 25 years having regular menstrual cycles were chosen for this study. After confirming the regularity of menstrual cycle, SSR was performed on them. The recording was done under standardized conditions using standardized procedure. Amplitude of SSR was found to vary in the three phases, but the differences were statistically not significant. Latency of SSR was found to be greatest in the follicular phase (1.54 ± 0.22 s) and least in the mid-luteal phase (1.35 ± 0.18 s). Statistically significant differences were found between mean SSR latency in the follicular phase and the other two phases (p < 0.01). This study concludes that SSR is enhanced during the mid-luteal phase in women with regular menstrual cycles indicating sympathetic dominance.