Assessment of Trace Elemental Composition, Sex Hormones and Antioxidant Capacity of Young Women with Menstrual Irregularities

Abstract

Trace elemental composition, sex hormones and antioxidant capacity of young women with menstrual irregularities were assessed in this study using standard methods. Forty (40) young female subjects with regular menstrual cycle and 40 young female subjects with different kinds of menstrual irregularities, a total of 80 volunteer subjects were used for the study. The subjects were sourced from the duo of Imo State University and Federal Medical Centre, both in Owerri, Nigeria. Each volunteer subject signed an informed consent form after the procedure and implications of the study were explained using a language the subject would understand. Trace elements such as zinc, copper, iron, and selenium; and antioxidant capacity assessed were insignificantly (p>0.05) affected in test subjects when compared to control subjects. Estrogen and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in test subjects against the control subjects. The reduction in levels of estrogen and SHBG could be an indication that menstrual irregularities of the test subjects may have been linked to hormonal imbalances.