NORMAL MENSTRUATION AND GASEOUS METABOLISM

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Abstract
Intermittent measurements of the basal metabolism of a normal woman over a period of 12 yrs. and occasional observations on a group of college students during a period of 1 yr. suggested that menstruation may lower the metabolism. An extensive series of practically consecutive daily measurements, extending over 2 mo. and including 3 menstrual cycles, was therefore carried out with a normal young woman. She experienced no pain or discomfort during her monthly periods. It is believed that the menstrual factor alone was involved in the study. The O co-sumption was recorded graphically by means of a closed-circuit resplration apparatus connecting indirectly with a spirometer. The outdoor temp. seemed to have no correlation with the metabolism. The pulse rate was usually lowest when O consumption was low, but the high pulse rates did not occur at the same time as the high O consumption. The O consumption in general was lowest and most uniform during the menstrual period, and highest about 1 week after menstruation ceased. Menstruation thus appears to be a real factor lowering the metabolism.

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