Comparative study of sympathetic function tests in premenopausal and postmenopausal Women

Menopause is permanent cessation of menstruation. After menopause primordial follicles become atretic, hence ovaries fail to produce estrogen. The presence of estrogen receptors in the heart, vascular smooth muscles and autonomic brain stem centers denotes role in regulation of cardiovascular system.

To compare the sympathetic function tests in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

The autonomic function tests in 60 premenopausal and 60 postmenopausal women were compared. Parameters under study were Height, Weight, BMI, Sympathetic function test: Orthostatic tolerance test and Sustained isometric hand grip test.

We found significant increase in BMI (P<0.05) and blood pressure during Sustained isometric hand grip test (P<0.05) while there was significant change in Orthostatic tolerance test when compared between premenopausal and postmenopausal.

Estrogen acts on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, regulate their cellular activity through estrogen receptor, and suppress food intake. Also decline in the estrogen levels shifts the autonomic balance toward the sympathetic dominance in the postmenopausal women.

We conclude that there is increased tendency of obesity, autonomic imbalance with sympathetic over activity in postmenopausal women as compared to premenopausal women.