Prolonged menstruation and increased menstrual blood with generalized δ electroencephalogram power: A case report

Abstract

Estradiol changes associated with the menstrual cycle have a great impact on brain activation. δ frequency mainly appears during normal sleep status or brain injury diseases, including encephalitis and mental confusion. The current case report presents a 51-year-old female with prolonged menstruation and increased menstrual blood volume whose electroencephalogram (EEG) recording demonstrated a rare generalized 3 Hz δ frequency band in the waking status. The patient had been suffering from heart palpitations and dizziness for 6 months and was receiving treatment in the Department of Neurology (Second Xiangya Hospital). The individual had been experiencing prolonged menstruation and increased menstrual blood volume for 6 years. Gynecologial examination revealed secondary anemia and hysteromyoma. Hemoglobin levels were decreased to 69 g/l. Physical and neurological examinations, and computed tomography results appeared normal. The EEG recording indicated a generalized 3 Hz δ frequency band with 30-80 μV power and a long-range δ frequency band when the patient was hyperventilating. The prolonged menstruation and increased menstrual blood volume may have induced the generalized δ frequency without brain injury. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first formal case report of prolonged menstruation and increased menstrual blood volume with the abnormality of δ EEG power.