The effect of the menstrual CYCLE on the vestibular system in HEALTHY adult women

There may be many peripheral or central origin factors affecting vestibular dysfunction. Hormonal system changes are also thought to affect the vestibular system. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the integrity of the vestibular system with different test batteries and to compare the two periods in the premenstrual and postmenstrual periods in healthy adult women. A total of 40 healthy adult women, aged between 18 and 40, who did not have hearing and balance complaints and who met the exclusion criteria, were selected as participants in the study. In this study, objective vestibular tests VEMP, vHIT and subjective tests, Dizziness disability scale (DHI) and Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) questionnaires were applied to evaluate the balance system of individuals, respectively. Test results of 40 healthy female participants before and after menstruation are indicated. The time changes of the participants both ear cVEMP and oVEMP N1, P1 latency measurements before and after menstruation were not found statistically significant (p>0.05). The changes in the lateral, anterior and posterior canal gain values of both ears of the participants included in the study according to the time before and after menstruation were not found statistically significant (p>0.05). It was found statistically significant that the total score of the participants' dizziness disability inventory and its sub-dimensions, emotional, physical and functional, decreased according to the time before and after menstruation (p<0.05). It was found statistically significant that the depression and anxiety scores of the participants, which are the sub-dimensions of the hospital anxiety depression scale, decreased according to the time before and after menstruation (p<0.05). A high correlation was observed between premenstrual anxiety scores and premenstrual anxiety scores, while a moderate correlation was observed between premenstrual depression scores, which is one of the subscales of the dizziness disability inventory. (p<0.05). There is a high correlation between the functional status scores of the dizziness disability inventory subscales, premenstrual scores and premenstrual anxiety scores, and a moderate correlation between premenstrual depression scores. (p<0.05). A moderate correlation was also observed between premenstrual depression and premenstrual anxiety scores. (p<0.05). Intermediate level between premenstrual BEE total scores and premenstrual depression scores; There is a high level of correlation between premenstrual anxiety scores. With these results, 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 in the clinic. This study we have done will be a guide in terms of comparing the studies to be done about the changing hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle phases. In the light of these findings, there is a need for further studies to be done more comprehensively by considering the frequency range of vestibular tests. Keywords: Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials, cVEMP, oVEMP, Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT); Dizziness Disability Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Menstrual cycle. The research was presented to Başkent University Institute of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee and accepted as a research project with the number KA 20/302 on 29/07/2020 and ethics committee approval was obtained.