# Doppler Ultrasound Assessment of Blood Flow Indices in Childbearing Age Women Across the Menstrual Cycle

## TL;DR

This study found that blood flow in the legs of healthy women does not change significantly during the menstrual cycle or when using birth control pills.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence that hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle and OCP use do not significantly affect peripheral vascular function in healthy women.

## Key findings

- No significant differences in Doppler indices were found between menstrual phases in non-OCP users.
- OCP users showed no significant changes in blood flow indices during placebo and active pill phases.
- Hormonal fluctuations had minimal impact on vascular function in healthy young women.

## Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study investigates the effects of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive (OCP) cycles on peripheral vascular circulation in the lower limbs of healthy childbearing-age women across different phases of the menstrual cycle. Materials and Methods: Fourteen eumenorrheic non-oral contraceptive (non-OCP) users (mean age 28.9 ± 3.5 years; height 165.0 ± 5.8 cm; weight 66.8 ± 11.2 kg) were evaluated during the follicular and ovulatory phases. Fifteen monophasic oral contraceptive (OCP) users (mean age 26.4 ± 2.67 years; height 162.3 ± 8.1 cm; weight 62.0 ± 9.8 kg) were assessed during their placebo and active pill phases. Doppler recordings of the femoral and popliteal arteries were obtained, and standard Doppler indices (systolic/diastolic ratio, pulsatility index, and resistance index) were analyzed across the menstrual and OCP cycles. Results: There were no significant interactions in the standard Doppler indices for the popliteal and femoral arteries between the menstrual phases and user groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant group effects were observed between non-OCP users and OCP users, nor were there significant phase effects in any of the Doppler index variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Peripheral vascular function remained stable across menstrual and OCP phases, suggesting minimal impact of hormonal fluctuations on blood flow characteristics in young, healthy females.