The Variations in Urinary Aldosterone Levels of Normal Females During Their Menstrual Cycle

Abstract

In a series of six subjects studied, a day-to-day fluctuation in urinary aldosterone excretion with a definite and characteristic pattern throughout the menstrual cycle was noted in all. The excretory level was lowest (mean value 8 · 5 [Lg. per 24 hours) 25 to I] days before menstruation, with an increase (mean value I I [Lg. per 24 hours) I] to I4 days prior to menstruation. An increase in excretion was again noticed in the second half of the cycle, with a peak excretion (mean value 23 [Lg. per 24 hours) one to five days before menstruation. This was followed in most subjects by a sharp decrease in excretion one to two days before menstruation. During the first day of menstruation a relatively low level was found, followed in some subjects by an increase on certain days of menstruation.The urinary sodium-potassium concentration ratio fluctuated during the menstrual cycle with no direct relationship to aldosterone levels. The lowest urinary sodium-potassium ratios were found in specimens one to five days before menstruation.A premenstrual increase in body weight ranging from o · 5 to 2 · 3 kg., with the maximum three to one days prior to menstruation, was noted in five subjects. This weight increase either followed or preceded the maximum observed aldosterone excretion.In one post-menopausal subject observed over a period of 26 days, the urinary aldosterone excretion ranged from 8 · 5 to I4 [Lg. per 24 hours.A detailed description of a chemical method for estimation of aldosterone in urine is given.

Correlations Between Mood, Weight, and Electrolytes During the Menstrual Cycle: A Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Hypothesis of Premenstrual Tension

“…This shift in K/Na ratio, with its implied increase in sodium retention, may in part underlie the weight changes described in our study. Furthermore, for reasons reviewed earlier, it appears at least possible that the K/Na ratio changes noted may reflect changes in circulating aldosterone, since the K/Na ratio has been found to increase when aldosterone is administered (24,25), and since the curve of the K/Na ratio noted in this study strikingly parallels the urinary aldosterone excretion curve noted by Reich (26).…”

“…These studies did not systematically evaluate mood. Excretion of aldosterone, a major endogenous sodium retaining mineralocorticoid in man (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32), appears to follow a similar cyclic pattern. Reich (26) reported slight midcycle elevation of urinary aldosterone excretion, followed by a luteal rise which peaked during the premenstrual phase of the cycle, falling just before or soon after the onset of menses and Gray et al (27) noted increased aldosterone secretory rates in the luteal phase of the cycle.…”

Study of Iron Status Indicators in Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Females of Lower Socio-Economic Group

“…An increase in plasma progesterone concentrations also occurs during the luteal phase which has a natriuretic effect due to aldosterone antagonism, resulting in plasma loss of sodium and water. [19] Progesterone may also influence hemo-concentration during the early to mid-luteal phase when its concentrations peak. The fall in progesterone during the luteal phase is associated with a sharp rise in aldosterone activity observed few days before the onset of menses manifesting as weight increase, edema & hemodilution.…”

Historical studies of premenstrual tension up to 30 years ago: Implications for future research

“…Specifically, Dalton [8] proposed that aldosterone may be the hormonal cause of premenstrual tension. Reich [40] reported a slight midcycle elevation of urinary aldosterone excretion in normal individuals followed by a greater luteal rise that peaked during the premenstrual phase, falling just before or soon after menses. Serum aldosterone elevations in the luteal phase were noted to be approximately twice that occurring in the follicular phase.…”