Premium
Progesterone enhances adrenergic control of skin blood flow in women with high but not low orthostatic tolerance
Author(s) -
Wenner Megan M.,
Taylor Hugh S.,
Stachenfeld Nina S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.194563
Subject(s) - orthostatic vital signs , vasoconstriction , medicine , endocrinology , blood pressure , constriction , blood flow , hormone , vasodilation
Non‐technical summary Women experience orthostatic intolerance (the inability to maintain blood pressure during postural changes) more frequently than men. This difference between men and women may in part be related to how oestradiol and progesterone influence dilatation and constriction of blood vessels. We show that progesterone enhances vasoconstriction in women who have a higher tolerance to orthostatic stress, but not in women with low tolerance. The increase in vasoconstriction with progesterone administration in women with high tolerance appears to be mediated by prostaglandins (hormone‐like substances that assist in maintaining bodily functions). These results show that progesterone alters blood vessel constriction and can help us understand blood pressure regulation in women.