The effect of the menstrual cycle on the vestibular system in healthy adult women

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of menstrual cycle phases on the vestibular system in healthy adult women.

A total of 40 healthy adult women aged 18–40 years without hearing or balance complaints were included in the study. The participants were administered the Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) test, the Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants’ pre- and post-menstrual test results were compared.

Cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (cVEMP) N1, P1 latency measurements and vHIT results of the participants before and after menstruation were not statistically significantly different (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the participants’ DHI and HADS scores before and after menstruation (p < 0.05).

It was observed that symptoms such as dizziness and anxiety, which are more common in the premenstrual period, were reflected in our subjective tests but not in our objective tests and clinic. This study will provide a benchmark for comparison in future studies of hormonal changes in menstrual cycle phases.