The menstrual cycle and susceptibility to virtual simulation sickness.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Virtual simulation sickness (VSS) is a common issue in virtual environments (VEs).
• Women report higher VSS susceptibility than men, but the underlying reasons are unclear.
• Hormonal fluctuations, particularly during the menstrual cycle, may influence VSS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle on VSS susceptibility in women.
• To compare VSS responses across different phases of the menstrual cycle, oral contraceptive use, and in men.

Main Methods:

• 16 naturally cycling women, 16 oral contraceptive users, and 16 men were tested.
• Participants were immersed in a nauseogenic VE on specific cycle days (5, 12, 19, 26).
• Salivary hormone levels (estradiol, progesterone) confirmed cycle phases; men had a pseudo-cycle.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in VSS susceptibility was noted around day 12 in naturally cycling women with confirmed hormonal peaks.
• No consistent VSS variation was observed in women whose cycles did not align with testing days.
• No VSS changes were found in oral contraceptive users or the male control group.

Conclusions:

• VSS susceptibility varies significantly across the menstrual cycle in naturally cycling women.
• Hormonal fluctuations, specifically estradiol and progesterone levels, appear to influence VSS.
• Menstrual cycle phase is a potential factor contributing to sex differences in VSS.