The effect of the menstrual cycle on hemoglobin mass
type: CreativeWork
description: The impact of the menstrual cycle on oxygen-carrying capacity remains equivocal. Previous studies reported either reductions or no significant changes in hemoglobin concentration during the follicular phase when compared to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Changes in plasma volume associated with fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels likely contribute to the variations in hemoglobin concentration observed throughout the menstrual cycle. Thus, measures of hemoglobin concentration do not accurately represent the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Hemoglobin mass represents a more direct measure of oxygen-carrying capacity. However, the impact of menstrual blood loss on hemoglobin mass remains unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on hemoglobin mass in pre-menopausal women. METHODS: Twenty-one women (age: 23 ± 6 years, height: 167 ± 7 cm, weight: 66 ± 13 kg) with a regular menstrual cycle using (n = 9) and not using hormonal contraceptives participated in the study. Hemoglobin mass was assessed using the carbon monoxide rebreathing technique on three separate occasions. Visits for women using hormonal contraceptives were scheduled in the early follicular phase (3-5 days post-onset of menses), late follicular phase (14 days post-onset of menses), and mid-to-late luteal phase (10 days after the late follicular visit). Visits for women not using hormonal contraceptives were scheduled in the early follicular phase (3-5 days post-onset of menses), late follicular phase (1-2 days post-surge of luteinizing hormone in urine), and mid-to-late luteal phase (10 days after the late follicular visit). RESULTS: No differences were observed in hemoglobin concentration across phases of the menstrual cycle (early follicular: 12.9 ± 1.3 g/dl, late follicular: 12.7 ± 0.9 g/dl, mid-to-late luteal: 12.8 ± 0.9 g/dl, p = 0.08). Likewise, hemoglobin mass did not significantly differ between menstrual cycle phases (early follicular: 606 ± 73 g, lat…
abstract: The impact of the menstrual cycle on oxygen-carrying capacity remains equivocal. Previous studies reported either reductions or no significant changes in hemoglobin concentration during the follicular phase when compared to the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Changes in plasma volume associated with fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels likely contribute to the variations in hemoglobin concentration observed throughout the menstrual cycle. Thus, measures of hemoglobin concentration do not accurately represent the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Hemoglobin mass represents a more direct measure of oxygen-carrying capacity. However, the impact of menstrual blood loss on hemoglobin mass remains unknown. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on hemoglobin mass in pre-menopausal women. METHODS: Twenty-one women (age: 23 ± 6 years, height: 167 ± 7 cm, weight: 66 ± 13 kg) with a regular menstrual cycle using (n = 9) and not using hormonal contraceptives participated in the study. Hemoglobin mass was assessed using the carbon monoxide rebreathing technique on three separate occasions. Visits for women using hormonal contraceptives were scheduled in the early follicular phase (3-5 days post-onset of menses), late follicular phase (14 days post-onset of menses), and mid-to-late luteal phase (10 days after the late follicular visit). Visits for women not using hormonal contraceptives were scheduled in the early follicular phase (3-5 days post-onset of menses), late follicular phase (1-2 days post-surge of luteinizing hormone in urine), and mid-to-late luteal phase (10 days after the late follicular visit). RESULTS: No differences were observed in hemoglobin concentration across phases of the menstrual cycle (early follicular: 12.9 ± 1.3 g/dl, late follicular: 12.7 ± 0.9 g/dl, mid-to-late luteal: 12.8 ± 0.9 g/dl, p = 0.08). Likewise, hemoglobin mass did not significantly differ between menstrual cycle phases (early follicular: 606 ± 73 g, lat…
author: Keller, Melissa Faith
language: en
keywords: Oxygen-carrying capacity, Blood volume, Early follicular phase, Estrogen, Progesterone
date published: 2019-05-08
date modified: 2026-07-24T05:01:00Z
provider: University of Texas
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The University of Texas at Austin

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/2152/76215

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.26153/tsw/3304