Abnormal Menstrual Cycle in Second Year Medical Students at Siriraj Hospital

Abstract

Objective To determine the effect of psychological stress on the menstrual cycie in
second year medical students.
Main outcome measures Characteristic of menstrual cycle was recorded. Serum cortisol, prolactin, gonadotropins and progesterone were measured using
radioimmunoassay.
Results Abnormal cycles were found in 2 characteristics : (1) irregular cycle
comprised 22/" ol all subjects ; (2) low serum progesterone in the assumed luteal
phase, implying anovulation or luteal defect, comprised 62/" and 70/" of subjects
during the ANS and the AS periods respectively. There was no significant
difference in the incidence of abnormal cycle between the two periods. No
correlation between serum levels of progesterone and cortisol, prolactin or LH : FSH
ratio could be demonstrated.

Conclusion Over 60% of second year medical students at Siriraj Hospital had abnormal
menstrual cycles. We could not demonstrate the correlation between this high
incidence and th.e level of stress hormone, i.e. cortisol.