--- title: Is the stress hormone system different in women with severe PMS? description: Yes. Women with severe PMS have altered control of their stress hormone system, with cortisol responding differently to hormonal stimuli, suggesting reduced o url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/changes-of-opioid-modulation-of-the-hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal-axis-in-1994/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is the stress hormone system different in women with severe PMS? Case-control study, 1994 # Is the stress hormone system different in women with severe PMS? Yes. Women with severe PMS have altered control of their stress hormone system, with cortisol responding differently to hormonal stimuli, suggesting reduced opioid receptor sensitivity. Early or limited evidence 28 women with severe premenstrual syndrome and 14 women without symptoms ## What they did Case-control study comparing 28 women with severe PMS and 14 women without symptoms. During the mid- to late-luteal phase, researchers measured how cortisol responded to two hormonal challenges: naloxone and CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone). ## What they found In women without PMS, naloxone stimulated significant cortisol release, but in women with PMS this response was almost absent. CRH stimulated greater cortisol release in PMS patients than controls. These differences were the same whether or not PMS patients had psychiatric disorders or menstrual migraine. The findings suggest endogenous opioids modulate the stress hormone system differently in severe PMS patients, possibly due to reduced opioid receptor sensitivity. ## What it means for you Women with severe PMS may have a biological difference in how their body controls stress hormones through the opioid system. This could help explain some symptoms, though we do not know if this is a cause or effect of PMS. Main limitation: small sample size of 28 patients. 28 women with severe PMS 14 women without symptoms ## About the study Original title Changes of opioid modulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with severe premenstrual syndrome Authors Facchinetti F, Fioroni L, Martignoni E et al. Journal Psychosomatic medicine Year 1994 Study design Case-control study Participants 28 What was tested None - observational hormonal testing Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199409000-00006](https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199409000-00006) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/) 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 Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Cohort study, 2025 What causes migraine in female college students who have PMS? Review, 2014 Are mental health problems linked to gynecological conditions like PMS and PMDD? Review, 2000 What conditions beyond depression can antidepressants treat? Review, 1999 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder? Case report, 2008 How do doctors diagnose and treat migraines linked to menstruation? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗