--- title: What role do neurosteroids play in women's health? | Niyora description: Neurosteroids are chemicals in the brain and nervous system that control how nerve cells work. They may be useful for treating health issues related to aging url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/advances-in-neurosteroids-role-in-clinical-practice-2013/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - What role do neurosteroids play in women's health? Survey study, 2013 # What role do neurosteroids play in women's health? Neurosteroids are chemicals in the brain and nervous system that control how nerve cells work. They may be useful for treating health issues related to aging and reproductive hormones. Early or limited evidence Review of existing research on neurosteroids ## What they did This is a review that summarizes existing research on neurosteroids, how they are made in the brain and body, and how they interact with reproductive hormones. ## What they found Neurosteroids are produced both in the brain and by glands throughout the body. They regulate how nerve and brain cells function. They interact with reproductive hormones and may play a role in issues that happen during reproductive life and aging. ## What it means for you Neurosteroids might be a new way to treat some health issues by increasing the body's own production of these brain chemicals. Limitation: this is a review summarizing other research, not original experimental data. ## About the study Original title Advances in neurosteroids: role in clinical practice Authors Pluchino N, Santoro A, Casarosa E et al. Journal Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society Year 2013 Study design Survey study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2013.809647](https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2013.809647) Original abstract The steroidogenic endocrine glands and local synthesis both contribute to the pool of steroids present in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Although the synthesis of neurosteroids in the nervous system is now well established, the spectrum of respective functions in regulating neuronal and glial functions remains to be fully elucidated. From the concept of neurosteroids derives another treatment strategy: the use of pharmaceutical agents that increase the synthesis of endogenous neurosteroids within the nervous system. This approach has so far been hampered by lack of knowledge concerning the regulation of the biosynthetic pathways of neurosteroids and their relationship with sex steroids produced by the peripheral gland or with exogenous steroids. The present review summarizes some of the available clinical and experimental findings supporting the critical role of neurosteroids during fertile life and reproductive aging and their relationship with endogenous and exogenous sex steroids. The brain metabolism of synthetic progestins and the implications of DHEA treatment in postmenopausal women will also be discussed. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Survey study, 2019 Does allopregnanolone, a hormone made from progesterone, affect premenstrual mood? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Review, 2003 How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD? Lab study, 2018 How does depression affect menstrual function and fertility in women? Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗