Randomised trial, 2018
How do progesterone metabolites affect PMDD symptoms?
Women with PMDD respond differently to these natural brain chemicals. Blocking one type may reduce negative mood symptoms, but this summary is incomplete.
What they did
This is a summary of existing research about how progesterone metabolites (especially allopregnanolone) affect PMDD. It discusses lab studies, brain imaging findings, and clinical trials of related medications.
What they found
Women with PMDD show altered sensitivity to allopregnanolone, a metabolite of progesterone. Brain imaging shows increased emotional reactivity in the amygdala (emotion center) during the luteal phase in women with PMDD. A medication called isoallopregnanolone significantly reduced negative mood symptoms when given by injection during the premenstrual phase in a randomized controlled trial.
What it means for you
PMDD appears to involve abnormal brain responses to natural progesterone metabolites. Blocking these metabolites may help mood symptoms. However, this is a summary of existing research, not a new study, so the quality and strength of evidence varies. The original abstract provided is incomplete, making it difficult to assess all the findings.
3-5%
Percentage of women with PMDD
allopregnanolone
Progesterone metabolite studied
UC1010
Blocking medication tested
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of GABA active steroids in the female brain with a focus on the premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Bixo M, Johansson M, Timby E et al.
- Journal
- Journal of neuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2018
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Discussion of how progesterone metabolites and blocking medications affect PMDD
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/jne.12553
Topics
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