Study, 1992
Is a certain brain chemical different in women with PMS?
No. The brain chemical calcitonin gene-related peptide did not show a clear difference in women with PMS compared to women without PMS, and it did not change noticeably across the menstrual cycle.
What they did
Blood levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide were measured in 8 women with PMS and 8 women without PMS at four different times during the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Calcitonin gene-related peptide levels did not show clear fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. There were no clear differences in levels between women with PMS and the control group.
What it means for you
This particular brain chemical does not seem to explain PMS. However, this is a very small study, so larger studies would be needed to be more confident in this finding.
8
women with PMS
8
control women
4
menstrual cycle phases measured
About the study
- Original title
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide, the menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- van Leeuwen JS, Koppeschaar HP, Kop WJ et al.
- Journal
- Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/09513599209015555