A Randomized Controlled Trial of Changes in Fluid Distribution across Menstrual Phases with Creatine Supplementation

This study examined the effects of creatine (Cr) loading on body mass (BM) and fluid markers of total body water (TBW), extra-cellular fluid (ECF), and intra-cellular fluid (ICF) across the menstrual cycle (MC). Thirty moderately active females, either naturally-menstruating (NM) or using hormonal contraceptives (HC), were randomized to Cr (Cr; 4 x 5 g/day of creatine monohydrate for 5 days; n = 15) or a non-caloric placebo (PL; n = 15) using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, with a menstrual phase crossover. BM, TBW, ECF, and ICF were measured at pre- and post-supplementation in randomized order of follicular phase (FP; NM: MC days 0-8, HC: inactive pill days) or luteal phase (LP; NM: <= 15 days from next projected cycle start date, HC: active pill days) using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy. Acute hydration status and salivary estrogen were used as covariates. Change in BM was not different between groups across MC ([PL-Cr] Delta 0.40 +/- 0.50 kg; p = 0.427) or between MC phase across groups ([FP-LP] Delta 0.31 +/- 0.48 kg; p = 0.528). TBW (p = 0.802), ECF (p = 0.373), and ICF (p = 0.795) were not different between supplement groups at pre-supplementation/FP time points. There were no significant differences between the NM and HC subjects at any time point, for any outcome (p > 0.05). Following LP supplementation, significant changes were observed in TBW (Cr: Delta 0.83 +/- 0.38 L, PL: Delta -0.62 +/- 0.38 L; p = 0.021), ECF (Cr: Delta 0.46 +/- 0.15 L, PL: Delta -0.19 +/- 0.15 L; p = 0.013), and ICF (Cr: Delta 0.74 +/- 0.23 L, PL: Delta -0.02 +/- 0.23 L; p = 0.041). These data demonstrate an increase in all fluid compartments in the LP following Cr loading, without observed alterations in body weight for females.

Automated summary

This study examined the effects of creatine loading on body weight and fluid markers across the menstrual cycle, and found that supplementation with creatine increased total body water, extracellular fluid, and intracellular fluid in the luteal phase without affecting body weight.