Comparative Study of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity in Normotensive Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women Using Bedside Autonomic Function Tests

Background & Introduction: Menopause marks the period of many changes in women. The term menopause comprises as the stage of aging process which marks the transition from the reproductive phase of life to the post - reproductive phase. Aim & Objective: to compare the sympathetic nervous system activity using autonomic function tests in normotensive premenopausal women and postmenopausal women (had natural menopause). Materials & Method: The autonomic function tests in 30 premenopausal and 30 postmenopausal women were compared. Parameters under study were Height, Weight, BMI, Sympathetic function test like the blood pressure response to Orthostatic tolerance test, Sustained isometric hand grip test and Cold pressor test. Result: We found significant difference in BMI (Pless than0.05) and blood pressure during Orthostatic test, sustained isometric hand grip test and cold pressor test when compared between premenopausal and postmenopausal.