Heatwaves and Hormones:How climate change is affecting women’s Menstruation Cycle; Reports

Menstruation is usually “painless” for the majority of women; some, however, have excruciating cramps. Pain during the menstrual cycle is a sign of dysmenorrhea and is brought on by the release of cortisol hormone.

Cortisol is a hormone that is released during stressful circumstances, which has various functions in the female anatomy. Along with controlling blood pressure, metabolism, and blood sugar levels, it also has anti-inflammatory properties. The hormone also affects the menstrual cycle and prepares the body for pregnancy.

As reported by Dawn( Pakistani news outlet), Dr Junaid Ansari, an obstetrics expert at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, explained that the pain was caused by elevated levels of cortisol, a stress hormone influenced by temperature.

“The main factor contributing to an extended or postponed period may be the seasonal fluctuations in cortisol release. For instance, in winter, the release is higher, which disrupts the cycle , as Dr. Ansari explained Dawn.com.

Extreme stress may cause disruption with the function of glands that release oestrogen, which is necessary for female reproductive traits, and regulate other hormones like cortisol.

Researchers studying female medical students at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland have discovered seasonal trends in their cortisol levels. In order to detect cortisol and inflammatory markers, saliva samples were taken every two hours during a 24-hour period. Students were tested twice in the winter and twice in the summer.

In addition, the participants filled out lifestyle questionnaires describing their eating, sleeping, and exercise routines. This research discovered that while inflammation levels stayed constant throughout the year, cortisol levels were greater during the summer sessions, in contrast to earlier studies carried out in various household contexts. This adds credence to the theory that menstrual cycles are impacted by rising temperatures.

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