---
title: Does a sudden drop in beta-endorphin cause PMS? | Niyora
description: Beta-endorphin levels did drop during the menstrual cycle, but the relationship between how much they dropped and symptom severity was opposite to what you wo
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/beta-endorphin-withdrawal-a-possible-cause-of-premenstrual-tension-syndrome-1984/
---

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- Does a sudden drop in beta-endorphin cause PMS?

Study, 1984

# Does a sudden drop in beta-endorphin cause PMS?

Beta-endorphin levels did drop during the menstrual cycle, but the relationship between how much they dropped and symptom severity was opposite to what you would expect if withdrawal caused PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

16 women, with measurements on two days of their menstrual cycle

## What they did

Researchers measured beta-endorphin levels in 16 women on day 7 and day 24 of their menstrual cycle, and related these levels to how severe their PMS symptoms were.

## What they found

A clear decline in beta-endorphin levels occurred as the cycle progressed. However, the severity of symptoms went in the opposite direction from the amount of decline, meaning women whose beta-endorphin dropped the most did not have the worst symptoms.

## What it means for you

The simple idea that PMS is caused by a sudden drop in beta-endorphin is not fully supported by these findings. The body may have compensatory mechanisms that reduce how much beta-endorphin drops, which might help moderate symptom severity. This was a small study with 16 women and no control group.

16

women studied

7

day of cycle (first measurement)

24

day of cycle (second measurement)

## About the study

Original title beta-Endorphin withdrawal: a possible cause of premenstrual tension syndrome Authors Giannini AJ, Price WA, Loiselle RH Journal International journal of psychophysiology : official journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology Year 1984 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(84)90028-x](https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(84)90028-x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)

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