Evaluation of some selected haemorrheological profile during different phases of menstrual cycle: A study on apparently healthy females in Ekpoma, Edo - Nigeria

Various changes during pregnancy and lactation have been extensively documented. However, there is still a need for more extensive studies on menstruation -an important reproductive phenomenon. Considering the clinical relevance of hematological parameters, this study therefore, investigates some selected haemorrheological parameters at different phases of menstrual cycle. Involved in the study are 50 apparently healthy female subjects who met the inclusion criteria and resident in Ekpoma, Edo State- Nigeria. The parameters in focus were analysed using standard laboratory procedures and the data obtained, were subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed variations in the studied parameters before, during and after menses. Specifically, whole blood and plasma viscosity were significantly reduced during menses when compared to the values before and after menses. Erythrocytes sedimentation rate was significantly higher after menses than the values obtained before and during menses. Also, the changes observed for pack-cell volume remained statistically insignificant at the different phases of menstrual cycle with age having no significant influence on the parameters before, during and after menses. Thus, in reproductive females, there are fluctuations in haemorrheological parameters before, during and after menses and this is of clinical relevance to physicians and medical laboratory scientists.Keywords: Menstrual cycle, Reproductive life, Female, Haemorrheological parameters