Changes in Ménière's disease responses as a function of the menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND

Ménière's disease is a complex, progressive disorder of the inner ear evidenced by characteristic responses including vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Though considered equally common across sexes, several recent studies describe women's increasing reports of symptom exacerbation during the perimenstruum. Empirical evidence proving this relationship is limited with no study exploring women's symptom reports using appropriate methodological procedures for menstrual cycle research.

OBJECTIVES

To establish the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and Ménière's disease responses. Specific aims included comparison of Ménière's disease responses between menstruant women and men (control group) and examination of women's Ménière's disease responses and their relationship to their diverse menstrual symptom patterns.

METHODS

Using a longitudinal, descriptive design, 12 men and 13 women were recruited via Internet and participated in daily data collection procedures over three study phases.

RESULTS

Results showed that Ménière's disease responses were similar for men and women participants. Women with premenstrual magnification patterns did not vary with cycle phases. However, vertigo (P < .05) did decrease significantly postmenses for women with premenstrual syndrome patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this study provide evidence that a unique relationship does exist between the menstrual cycle and Ménière's disease responses for some women. Knowledge gained from this study is beneficial in identifying the importance of appropriate clinical assessment methods of menstruant women with Ménière's disease. Recommendations include further research with larger samples and testing of different symptom management strategies for women of different perimenstrual symptom patterns.