Comparative study of sympathetic function tests in premenopausal and postmenopausal Women Karadkhedkar Sudha1,*, Somwanshi ND2, Seema Takras3 1Associate Professor, Dr. S.C. Govt. Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra 2Professor, Dr. S.C. Govt. Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra 3Resident, Dept. of Physiology, Dr. S.C. Govt. Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra *Corresponding Author: Email: sudhakhadkekar@rediffmail.com
Online published on 23 February, 2018. Abstract Introduction Menopause is permanent cessation of menstruation. After menopause primordial follicles become atretic, hence ovaries fail to produce estrogen. The presence of estrogen receptors in the heart, vascular smooth muscles and autonomic brain stem centers denotes role in regulation of cardiovascular system. Aims and Objectives To compare the sympathetic function tests in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Materials and Method The autonomic function tests in 60 premenopausal and 60 postmenopausal women were compared. Parameters under study were Height, Weight, BMI, Sympathetic function test: Orthostatic tolerance test and Sustained isometric hand grip test. Result We found significant increase in BMI (P<0.05) and blood pressure during Sustained isometric hand grip test (P<0.05) while there was significant change in Orthostatic tolerance test when compared between premenopausal and postmenopausal. Discussion Estrogen acts on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, regulate their cellular activity through estrogen receptor, and suppress food intake. Also decline in the estrogen levels shifts the autonomic balance toward the sympathetic dominance in the postmenopausal women. Conclusion We conclude that there is increased tendency of obesity, autonomic imbalance with sympathetic over activity in postmenopausal women as compared to premenopausal women. Top Keywords Sympathetic function, Premenopausal women, Postmenopausal women, Body Mass Index. Top |