---
title: Is serotonin function different in women with PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, women with PMS had significantly lower serotonin activity during the premenstrual phase. This suggests serotonin problems may contribute to PMS symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/alteration-of-platelet-serotonergic-mechanisms-and-monoamine-oxidase-activity-in-1988/
---

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- Is serotonin function different in women with PMS?

Case-control study, 1988

# Is serotonin function different in women with PMS?

Yes, women with PMS had significantly lower serotonin activity during the premenstrual phase. This suggests serotonin problems may contribute to PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS and control subjects (sample size not specified in abstract)

## What they did

The researchers measured serotonin uptake, serotonin content, and a related enzyme called MAO in blood platelets in women with PMS and healthy controls during the premenstrual phase (days -9 to -1) and postmenstrual phase (days 5-9).

## What they found

During the premenstrual phase, women with PMS had significantly decreased serotonin uptake and serotonin content in platelets compared to controls. Platelet MAO activity was significantly lower in PMS women postmenstrually compared to their premenstrual phase. Tryptophan levels were the same in both groups.

## What it means for you

Since blood platelets reflect how serotonin works in the brain, this finding suggests serotonin problems may cause PMS symptoms. However, the study only measured blood, not the brain directly, so this is not proven.

Days -9 to -1

premenstrual phase

Days 5-9

postmenstrual phase

## About the study

Original title Alteration of platelet serotonergic mechanisms and monoamine oxidase activity in premenstrual syndrome Authors Ashby CR Jr, Carr LA, Cook CL et al. Journal Biological psychiatry Year 1988 Study design Case-control study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(88)90277-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(88)90277-6)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

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