Study, 1990
Does the menstrual cycle change how much lithium stays in your blood?
No. The menstrual cycle does not appear to affect blood lithium levels.
What they did
6 healthy women were given 300 mg of lithium and their blood levels were measured at three different cycle phases: mid-follicular (early), mid-luteal (late), and premenstrual. 7 other women using oral contraceptives had the same test done with artificial hormone cycles.
What they found
There were no clear differences in lithium levels between the different cycle phases or between women with natural cycles and women using oral contraceptives.
What it means for you
Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle or from contraceptive pills don't change how the body handles lithium. The very small sample size and lack of a control group mean we can't be very confident in this finding. Other factors may explain why some women need different lithium doses at different times.
6
women with natural menstrual cycles
7
women using oral contraceptives
300 mg
dose of lithium
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of menstrual cycle phase and oral contraceptive use on serum lithium levels after a loading dose of lithium in normal women
- Authors
- Chamberlain S, Hahn PM, Casson P et al.
- Journal
- The American journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Lithium carbonate 300 mg
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/ajp.147.7.907
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2019
Do lithium and valproate levels change during the menstrual cycle?
Case-control study, 2015
Does lamotrigine reduce menstrual cycle-related mood changes in women with bipolar disorder?
Case-control study, 2007
Are there genes that increase the risk of PMDD?
Review, 1993
What are the medication options for treating PMS?
Study, 2024
Can PMDD cause psychosis that returns with each menstrual cycle?
Survey study, 2011
Why do some women experience negative mood with hormone changes?