---
title: Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD?
description: Theory suggests it might. In women with PMDD, allopregnanolone levels increase during the menstrual cycle and appear linked to mood changes. Paradoxically, th
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/allopregnanolone-and-mood-disorders-2014/
---

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- Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD?

Survey study, 2014

# Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD?

Theory suggests it might. In women with PMDD, allopregnanolone levels increase during the menstrual cycle and appear linked to mood changes. Paradoxically, this brain chemical normally calms the brain.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMDD (review article, no new participants)

## What they did

This is a review article summarising existing research on allopregnanolone and mood disorders. It examines how allopregnanolone affects brain receptors and presents evidence from various studies about its role in PMDD.

## What they found

Women with PMDD had increased negative mood symptoms when allopregnanolone rose during the luteal phase. The relationship was U-shaped, with moderate levels causing the most problems while very low or very high levels had less effect. Women with PMDD showed different sensitivity to allopregnanolone than those without. Paradoxical mood reactions to drugs affecting the same brain system occur in 3-8% (severe) and 25% (moderate), similar to PMDD and PMS prevalence.

## What it means for you

This theory suggests PMDD might be caused by how some women's brains respond to a natural brain chemical made from progesterone. However, this is a review article, not new research proving cause. Much more study is needed to confirm this explanation.

3-8%

PMDD prevalence among women of fertile age

25%

with moderate PMS symptoms

3-8%

with paradoxical mood reactions to related drugs

## About the study

Original title Allopregnanolone and mood disorders Authors Bäckström T, Bixo M, Johansson M et al. Journal Progress in neurobiology Year 2014 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.07.005](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.07.005)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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, 2009

Why do some women feel depressed or anxious when progesterone increases before their period?

Survey study, 2011

Why do some women experience negative mood with hormone changes?

Review, 2003

How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Review, 2006

How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

Randomised trial, 2017

Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?

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