The relationship between menstruation and arrhythmia

Specialists in Adult Cardiology have linked the hormonal changes that occur in women during the menstrual cycle with the occurrence of episodes of arrhythmias.

How premenstrual syndrome arises

Premenstrual syndrome arises from variations in hormone levels, and can lead to numerous physical and psychic symptoms. Some women, during that period prior to menstruation, refer to the onset or an increase in palpitations, which can be very annoying. This happens due to the increase of progesterone , a hormone that increases in the phase prior to menstruation. In addition, during premenstrual syndrome, anxiety may increase and arrhythmias may occur more frequently during periods of excitement and nervousness due to increased adrenergic tone. But this prior phase is not the only one that has been associated with arrhythmias, since during menstruation, episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia can be grouped as well as extrasystoles increased.

What arrhythmia is most related to menstruation

Ventricular extrasystole is the arrhythmia that has most clearly been associated with hormonal changes, and therefore its onset and worsening is closely linked to the menstrual cycle. It is more frequent in the premenstrual and perimenopausal phases (also during gestation) and, on the contrary, is reduced with the estrogen peak that occurs during ovulation. Experimental estrogens have also been used to try to reduce extrasystoles. The phase of the menstrual cycle in which the electrophysiological study is carried out could, in some cases, become conditional on the induction of arrhythmias. Thus, they may not be induced during the phase of the menstrual cycle with high levels of estrogens, around the ovulation, and yes to be induced to repeat the study during the premenstrual phase.

Recommendations for patients with arrhythmia

As a general recommendation, the arrhythmia should be documented with an electrocardiogram at the same time as the electrocardiogram, while the patient sleeps. In this way, a specialist will be able to identify the specific type of arrhythmia that he / she suffers and will be able to guide him / her on the possible treatments.