Prostaglandin F2aConcentrations in the Blood of Women During Normal Menstrual Cycles and Dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Blood samples were collected at 0700, 1300, 1900, and 0100 hr on days 1, 7, and 20 of the menstrual cycle from women having a history of normal menstrual cycles. Plasma or serum were assayed for PGF2a; neither the stage of the menstrual cycle or the time of sample collection had any effect on the PGF_2a concentration. The mean concentration of PGF_2a was 0.71 ng/ml (99% confidence interval: 0.61–0.81 ng/ml, n ; 240). Collection of daily blood samples beginning 9–12 days prior to expected menstruation, and continued until 2–4 days after the onset of menses, in women with a history of dysmenorrhea showed that concentrations of PGF_2a were not elevated above normal values.