Increased Latency of Visual Evoked Potentials in Healthy Women during Menstruation

Purpose: To evaluate the latency of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in healthy women during and after menstruation. Methods: Pattern and flash VEPs were performed in 15 healthy women aged 18 to 25 years on the maximum bleeding day (luteal phase) and 7 days after the menstrual cycle (follicular phase). Results: Mean latency was 119.6 msec on the maximum bleeding day and 100.8 msec one week after menstruation on pattern VEP (P < 0.001). Corresponding values for flash VEP were 124.5 msec and 112.7 msec, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Prolonged VEP latency on the maximum bleeding day indicates that high progesterone levels may have an inhibitory effect on optic nerve conduction velocity.