Increased latency of visual evoked potentials in healthy women during menstruation

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the latency of visual evoked potentials [VEPs] in healthy women during and after menstruation. Pattern and flash VEPs were performed in 15 healthy women aged 18 to 25 years on the maximum bleeding day [luteal phase] and 7 days after the menstrual cycle [follicular phase]. Mean latency was 119.6 msec on the maximum bleeding day and 100.8 msec one week after menstruation on pattern VEP [P < 0.001]. Corresponding values for flash VEP were 124.5 msec and 112.7 msec, respectively [P < 0.001]. Prolonged VEP latency on the maximum bleeding day indicates that high progesterone levels may have an inhibitory effect on optic nerve conduction velocity