HighCycle Study: Effect of High Altitude on Acute Mountain Sickness in Women Related to Their Menstrual Cycle Phase

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH · Jul 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The HighCycle Study is a research trial that aims to understand how the menstrual cycle affects the likelihood of developing Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in healthy women when they travel to high altitudes, specifically 3,600 meters above sea level. AMS can cause symptoms like headache, nausea, and dizziness, and it’s important for women to know if their menstrual cycle phase plays a role in their risk of experiencing these symptoms.

To participate in this study, women aged 18 to 44 must be healthy, non-smokers, and not using certain types of hormonal contraceptives. They should also have a normal menstrual cycle and live at lower altitudes, below 1,000 meters. Participants will make a trip to a high altitude, and researchers will observe how their menstrual cycle phase may influence their experience with AMS. If you meet these criteria and are interested, you will need to sign a consent form to join the study. This research could provide valuable insights for women who enjoy traveling to high altitudes.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy, non-smoking women, age 18-44 years, without any disease and need of regular medication (including oral contraceptives).
• • BMI \>18 kg/m2 and \<30 kg/m2
• • Born, raised and currently living at altitudes \<1000 m
• • Written informed consent
• • Premenopausal, eumenorrheic cycle
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Other types of contraceptives (hormonal intrauterine device, vaginal ring, subcutaneous injections or implants, among others)
• • Pregnancy or nursing
• • Anaemic (haemoglobin concentration \<10g/dl)
• • Any altitude trip \<4 weks before the study
• • Allergy to acetazolamide and other sulfonamides