Menstruation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Menstruation, including details on menstrual cycle, pregnancy, pain, irregular menstruation.

Cyclic sciatica from extrapelvic endometriosis affecting the sciatic nerve.

Floyd JR, Keeler ER, Euscher ED, McCutcheon IE

Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Sciatic (catamenial) radiculopathy, waxing and waning with the menstrual cycle, is an uncommon condition typically caused by pelvic endometriosis affecting the lumbosacral plexus or proximal sciatic nerve. The authors describe a woman with catamenial sciatica caused by endometriosis affecting the sciatic nerve trunk in the upper thigh. Symptomatic with leg pain for 5 years, this patient developed gluteal atrophy and sensory loss and decreased strength in the L-5 dermatomyotome, a distribution confirmed by electromyography. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested thickening of the sciatic nerve at and distal to the sciatic notch. At operation the nerve showed extrinsic and intrinsic abnormality, proven to be endometriosis. Her symptoms improved, and she began gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy for further suppression. This very unusual case shows that endometriosis can affect the sciatic nerve over a range of territory inside and outside the pelvis, and that surgery must be appropriately directed to avoid negative exploration. Surgical decompression achieves good relief of symptoms, and medical therapy also allows sustained suppression of this disease.

Published 2 February 2011 in J Neurosurg Spine, 14(2): 281-9.
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Articles on Menstruation published 1 February 2011:

Menstrual effects among women exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls and dibenzofurans.   Environ Res, 111(2): 288-94.

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Articles on Menstruation published 25 January 2011:

Variations in varus/valgus and internal/external rotational knee laxity and stiffness across the menstrual cycle.   J Orthop Res, 29(3): 318-25.

Cyclic variations in genu recurvatum (GR), general joint laxity (GJL), varus-valgus (VV), and internal-external (IER) rotational laxities and stiffnesses were examined in 64 females and 43 males at two time points during the females' menstrual cycle [days of minimum (T1) and maximum (T2) anterior knee laxity (AKL)]. Cyclic increases in AKL (9.5%), GR (37.5%), and GJL (13.6%) were observed in females but not males from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001). Cyclic increases in VV and IER laxity were ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Variations in varus/valgus and internal/external rotational knee laxity and stiffness across the menstrual cycle.   J Orthop Res, 29(3): 318-25.

Cyclic variations in genu recurvatum (GR), general joint laxity (GJL), varus-valgus (VV), and internal-external (IER) rotational laxities and stiffnesses were examined in 64 females and 43 males at two time points during the females' menstrual cycle [days of minimum (T1) and maximum (T2) anterior knee laxity (AKL)]. Cyclic increases in AKL (9.5%), GR (37.5%), and GJL (13.6%) were observed in females but not males from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001). Cyclic increases in VV and IER laxity were ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Variations in varus/valgus and internal/external rotational knee laxity and stiffness across the menstrual cycle.   J Orthop Res, 29(3): 318-25.

Cyclic variations in genu recurvatum (GR), general joint laxity (GJL), varus-valgus (VV), and internal-external (IER) rotational laxities and stiffnesses were examined in 64 females and 43 males at two time points during the females' menstrual cycle [days of minimum (T1) and maximum (T2) anterior knee laxity (AKL)]. Cyclic increases in AKL (9.5%), GR (37.5%), and GJL (13.6%) were observed in females but not males from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001). Cyclic increases in VV and IER laxity were ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Menstruation published 24 January 2011:

Luteal phase progesterone increases live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer.   Fertil Steril, 95(2): 534-7.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

Luteal phase progesterone increases live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer.   Fertil Steril, 95(2): 534-7.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Menstruation published 21 January 2011:

Circadian control of kisspeptin and a gated GnRH response mediate the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge.   Endocrinology, 152(2): 595-606.

In spontaneously ovulating rodents, the preovulatory LH surge is initiated on the day of proestrus by a timed, stimulatory signal originating from the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The present studies explored whether kisspeptin is part of the essential neural circuit linking the SCN to the GnRH system to stimulate ovulation in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Kisspeptin neurons exhibit an estrogen-dependent, daily pattern of cellular activity consistent with a ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Circadian control of kisspeptin and a gated GnRH response mediate the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge.   Endocrinology, 152(2): 595-606.

In spontaneously ovulating rodents, the preovulatory LH surge is initiated on the day of proestrus by a timed, stimulatory signal originating from the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The present studies explored whether kisspeptin is part of the essential neural circuit linking the SCN to the GnRH system to stimulate ovulation in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Kisspeptin neurons exhibit an estrogen-dependent, daily pattern of cellular activity consistent with a ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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