The present study examined the relationship between endogenous estradi
ol and progesterone levels and cardiovascular activity at rest and dur
ing stress in healthy young women. Subjects were rested in both the fo
llicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Results indicated t
hat, during the luteal phase, higher levels of estradiol were associat
ed with lower levels of cardiac output responses to the combined video
game and speech tasks, and lower levels of heart rate and systolic bl
ood pressure responses to the cold presser; estradiol levels were also
associated positively with PEP responses to the cold presser but only
under high levels of progesterone. Additionally, during the luteal ph
ase, higher levels of progesterone were associated with higher TPR and
lower stroke volume responses to the cold presser. Tn contrast, durin
g the follicular phase, higher levels of progesterone were associated
with lower vascular resistance responses to the cold presser. Consiste
nt with data from studies using exogenous estrogens, these results sug
gest that estradiol may contribute to a lowering of cardiovascular res
ponses to stress. Copyright 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.