Case-control study, 2004
Do women with PMS have different hormone levels than women without PMS?
Yes. Women with PMS have significantly lower allopregnanolone in the second half of their cycle, plus higher free testosterone and higher DHEA. These hormone differences may explain why they experience mood changes, anxiety, aggression, and irritability.
What they did
Researchers measured 9 different hormones in 20 women with PMS and 20 healthy women at different times in their menstrual cycle. They also performed hormone stimulation tests in 10 women from each group.
What they found
In the second half of the cycle (luteal phase), women with PMS had significantly lower allopregnanolone levels, while progesterone was lower in both phases. They also had higher free testosterone during the luteal phase and higher DHEA levels in both the early and late phases. The adrenal gland's response to hormone stimulation was different in women with PMS.
What it means for you
The specific pattern of hormones in women with PMS may explain their mood and behavioral symptoms. However, the study is small (20 women per group) and was done in one location, so results may not apply to all women with PMS. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
20
Women with PMS studied
20
Healthy women in comparison group
9
Different hormones measured
About the study
- Original title
- Adrenal response to adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation in patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Lombardi I, Luisi S, Quirici B et al.
- Journal
- Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- None - this is a comparison study.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/09513590310001652955
Topics
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