Menstrual-related changes in motoric function in women with Parkinson's disease

Questionnaire studies have found that parkinsonism worsens in women during the premenstrual period, when estrogen and progesterone levels are presumab ly at their nadir. To assess this patient-based observation and correlate m otor signs with hormonal levels, the authors prospectively studied 10 menst ruating women with PD in their "off" state, on 5 successive weeks. Although PD severity fluctuated during the study period, there was no significant c orrelation between the objective or subjective measures of parkinsonism and estrogen and progesterone levels.