Hormones and Water and Electrolyte Metabolism 85 



Hellman (1957) in that no precise pattern of variation in 

 salivary or urinary sodium and potassium concentrations or 

 Na/K ratios, either in normal women or in those complaining 

 of premenstrual tension, has been discovered. 



Fig. 1 shows two cycles from a normal woman: the Na/K 



10 



m.Ea/l- 



Na/K urine 



Na/K saliva 



100 



80 



60 

 mEq./l. 



40 

 20 



5 10 15 20 25 27 



}L CYCLE DAYS 



Fig. 4. Urinary and salivary Na/K ratios compared in a woman 

 who experienced premenstrual tension. 



ratio appears to be high at the start of both cycles and there 

 is a distinct fall (mainly due to increased potassium secretion) 

 at what may be judged from the basal temperature record to 

 be the time of ovulation in the second cycle. 



Fig. 2 shows a long but ovular cycle in another normal 

 patient (A.E.L.) No convincing pattern is discernible. 

 Fig. 3b shows the urinary Na/K ratios in another cycle from 



