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Estrogen modifies the temperature effects of progesterone
N S Stachenfeld1, C Silva, D L Keefe
1The John B. Pierce Laboratory and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06519, USA. nstach@jbpierce.org
Summary
Estrogen counteracts progestin
Area of Science:
- Thermoregulation
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Progestin can increase core body temperature and the sweating threshold.
- Estrogen's role in modulating these progestin effects is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether estrogen counteracts progestin-mediated increases in core temperature and sweating threshold.
- To examine the influence of oral contraceptives (OCs) on thermoregulation during heat exposure and exercise.
Main Methods:
- Eight women were tested in different menstrual phases and after administration of combined (estrogen + progestin) or progestin-only OCs.
- Core body temperature and sweating threshold were measured during rest, passive heating, and exercise.
Main Results:
- Progestin-only OCs increased resting core temperature and the sweating threshold compared to the follicular phase.
- Combined OCs did not show the same increase in resting core temperature, and the sweating threshold was lower than with progestin-only OCs.
- Estrogen appeared to mitigate the effects of progestin on core temperature and sweating threshold.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen counteracts progestin-induced elevations in core body temperature and the sweating threshold.
- These findings suggest estrogen modulates progestin's impact on thermoregulation, potentially by lowering the thermoregulatory operating point.