Neuroprotection via Reduction in Stress: Altered Menstrual Patterns as a Marker for Stress and Implications for Long-Term Neurologic Health in Women

Abstract

Individuals under chronic psychological stress can be difficult to identify clinically. There is often no outwardly visible phenotype. Chronic stress of sufficient magnitude not only impacts reproductive function, but also concomitantly elicits a constellation of neuroendocrine changes that may accelerate aging in general and brain aging in particular. Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, a phenotypically recognizable form of stress, is due to stress-induced suppression of endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Reversal of functional hypothalamic amenorrhea includes restoration of ovulatory ovarian function and fertility and amelioration of hypercortisolism and hypothyroidism. Taken together, recovery from functional hypothalamic amenorrhea putatively offers neuroprotection and ameliorates stress-induced premature brain aging and possibly syndromic Alzheimer’s disease. Amenorrhea may be viewed as a sentinel indicator of stress. Hypothalamic hypogonadism is less clinically evident in men and the diagnosis is difficult to establish. Whether there are other sex differences in the impact of stress on brain aging remains to be better investigated, but it is likely that both low estradiol from stress-induced anovulation and low testosterone from stress-induced hypogonadism compromise brain health.

How lifestyle changes within the COVID-19 global pandemic have affected the pattern and symptoms of the menstrual cycle

“…Given that the current climate is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, it is important that females become aware of the influence that stress will have on the menstrual cycle and are able to manage/control these changes to the best of their ability. It is deemed that long-term stress could have a significant negative impact on fertility and female reproductive health, (Palomba et al ., 2018; Negro-Vilar, 1993; Sominsky et al ., 2017), as well as the suggestion that exacerbated stress can induce premature brain ageing (Prokai and Berga, 2016). Therefore, it is especially important for females of childbearing age, and clinicians alike, to consider a number of possible factors, including stress, that could be contributing to any presenting changes in the menstrual cycle.…”

The impact of chronic restraint stress on the estrous cycle in NMRI female mice

“…Kada dođe do supresije GnRH javlja se funkcionalna hipotalamusna amenoreja. Ona predstavlja sindrom koji čine: neaktivnost jajnika, amenoreja i neplodnost (10,23,24,25). Kod životinja eksperimentalne grupe dokazane su statistički značajne oscilacije u fazama estrusnog ciklusa u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu.…”

Mechanism of the Salvia miltiorrhiza-Codonopsis pilosula drug pair in the treatment of premature ovarian failure based on network pharmacology-molecular docking

“…Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a disease characterized by irregular menstruation, infertility, hot flashes, and night sweats due to premature failure of the ovarian reserve. Owing to the gradual decrease in the quantity and quality of follicles, an increase in the level of follicle stimulating hormone, and a decrease in the level of estrogen, POF markedly affects the reproductive health of women [1,2] . The main treatment methods for POF based on modern medicine include hormone replacement therapy, induced ovulation, and immunosuppression.…”