IMMUNITY &RELATIONSHIP TO GENDER/MENSTRUAL CYCLE/COITUS

University Of Hawaii At Hilo, Hilo HI

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The current study will explore the relationships between gender, the menstrual cycle, coitus, and immune activity. Female and male immune system activity differ with females responding more rapidly and with increased antibody titers to many pathogens when compared to males. Female immune activity also differs depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. During the follicular phase, females report fewer health problems than during their luteal or menstrual phases. Additionally, females who engage in intercourse report more health problems across their menstrual cycles than females not engaging in intercourse. This multi-variate study will examine gender and contraception differences (continence versus incontinence and barrier versus non-barrier contraception) in saliva IgA levels and reported health problems. Differences in saliva IgA levels will also be examined across five phases of the females' menstrual cycles. Finally the relationships between degree of menstrual flow, IgM and IgA levels and leukocyte numbers in menstrual blood, illness during a cycle, and the number of coital events a woman engages in during a cycle will be explored. The research is designed to increase our understanding of how immune system activity is modulated by variables other than pathogen load.