hormone, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone are influenced
by the stages of menstrual cycle (ie, follicular, midcycle,
and luteal phases) ❚Table 3❚.
16
Coincident with ovulation, serum cholesterol levels are
lower than at any other phase of the menstrual cycle.2
During midcycle or the luteal phase, the aldosterone
concentration is approximately 2-fold higher compared
with values during the follicular phase.1,2 Renin activity
may increase during the luteal phase of the cycle.1 In
contrast, serum phosphate and iron levels decrease during
menstruation.1,2