Circadian rhythm changes in core temperature over the menstrual cycle: method for noninvasive monitoring
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether core temperature (T c) telemetry could be used in ambulatory women to track changes in the circadian T c rhythm during different phases of the menstrual cycle and, more specifically, to detect impending ovulation. T c was measured in four women who ingested a series of disposable temperature sensors. Data were collected each minute for 2–7 days and analyzed in 36-h segments by automated cosinor analysis to determine the mesor (mean temperature), amplitude, period, acrophase (time of peak temperature), and predicted circadian minimum core temperature (T c-min) for each cycle. The T c mesor was higher ( P ≤ 0.001) in the luteal (L) phase (37.39 ±0.13°C) and lower in the preovulatory (P) phase (36.91 ±0.11°C) compared with the follicular (F) phase (37.08 ±0.13°C). The predicted T c-min was also greater in L (37.06 ± 0.14°C) than in menses (M; 36.69 ± 0.13°C), F (36.6 ± 0.16°C), and P (36.38 ± 0.08°C) ( P ≤ 0.0001). During P, the predicted T c-min was significantly decreased compared with M and F ( P ≤ 0.0001). The amplitude of the T c rhythm was significantly reduced in L compared with all other phases ( P ≤ 0.005). Neither the period nor acrophase was affected by menstrual cycle phase in ambulatory subjects. The use of an ingestible temperature sensor in conjunction with fast and accurate cosinor analysis provides a noninvasive method to mark menstrual phases, including the critical preovulatory period.
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Most studies that confirmed ovulatory cycles found that the nocturnal decline in core body temperature is blunted, reducing the amplitude of the daily temperature rhythm in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase.
“the nocturnal decline in core body temperature is blunted, reducing the amplitude of the daily temperature rhythm in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase (Figure 2; 35,65-75).”
From Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle (2020) · cites this paper as [35]
Most studies that confirmed ovulatory cycles found that mean or mesor core body temperature is increased in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase.
“Most studies that confirmed the presence of ovulatory cycles found that the mean or mesor core body temperature is increased”
From Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle (2020) · cites this paper as [35]
In ambulatory women with normal ovulatory menstrual cycles, mean and minimum 24-h core body temperature were at their lowest during the preovulatory phase, coincident with the estrogen surge.
“mean and minimum 24-h core body temperature were at their lowest during the preovulatory phase, coincident with the estrogen surge, in women tracked across several phases of the menstrual cycle [35].”
From Temperature regulation in women: Effects of the menstrual cycle (2020) · cites this paper as [35]
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References 19 · Cited by 103
- Authors
- Coyne, M. D., Kesick, C. M., Doherty, T. J., Kolka, M. A., & Stephenson, L. A.
- Affiliations
- Wellesley College (US)
- Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, and
- U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (US)
- Venue
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Published
- 2000-10-01
- Volume
- 279
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- R1316-R1320
- ISSN
- 0363-6119 (ISSN-L)
- 1522-1490
- OpenAlex
- W2178009883
- Cited by
- 103
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 0.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Keywords
- core body temperature, circadian rhythm, menstrual cycle, ovulation prediction, cosinor analysis, luteal phase, follicular phase, preovulatory phase, non-invasive monitoring
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Automation, Body Temperature, Body Temperature Regulation, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Follicular Phase, Humans, Luteinizing Hormone, Luteal Phase, Menstrual Cycle, Menstruation, Monitoring, Physiologic, Ovulation, Telemetry
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