EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF STRESS ON PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATION DURING THE LUTEAL PHASE AND MENSTRUAL PHASE AMONG YOUNG FEMALE ADULTS.

ABSTRACT

The menstrual cycle is a physiological occurrence characterized by a series of cyclic events occurring in a rhythmic pattern during the female reproductive years. (Sharma et al., 2008) This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of stress on progesterone concentration during the menstrual phase and the luteal phase in a population of young female adults. A population of 50 premenopausal healthy subjects within the age of 18 to 30 were used and this study was carried out across different geopolitical zones in Benin City. Subjects were asked to complete a gynecological and medical questionnaire. The clinical history of the subjects was noted and different phases of the menstrual cycle were determined by the gynecological history. Perceived stress scale was used to access the significant presence of psychological stress on the subjects during their menstrual cycle. Results obtained from this study established that there was significant psychological stress during the Menstrual cycle. Cortisol level also established that the psychological stress was more during the Menstrual phase than the Luteal phase with significant increase in progesterone concentration during the luteal phase of the Menstrual cycle.