INFLUENCE OF THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE AND OF MENOPAUSE ON THE GASTRIC-EMPTYING RATE OF SOLIDS IN FEMALE VOLUNTEERS

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the normal menstr ual cycle and of menopause on the gastric emptying rate of solids. Gas tric emptying was studied in 15 premenopausal and ten postmenopausal w omen with an isotopic technique after the ingestion of a radiolabelled test meal. Premenopausal women were studied twice: within 1 week prio r to menses and again 1 week after onset of menses. Postmenopausal wom en were studied only once. The emptying curves of the solid component of the meal fitted a linear model. The half-emptying time was 78 +/- 5 min during the follicular phase, 75 +/- 7 min during the luteal phase and 76 +/- 6 min in postmenopausal women (differences not statistical ly significant). The mean percentages of the meal retained in the stom ach at different time intervals were also similar in the three groups. These results suggest that the menstrual cycle does not influence the gastric emptying rate of solids, which remains unchanged in relation to the follicular phase or after menopause.