--- title: Are hormone and growth factor levels different in women with PMDD during the luteal phase? description: Yes. Women with PMDD have higher progesterone and cortisol during the late luteal phase, and these are linked to worse symptoms. Growth factors that may prote url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/estrogen-progesterone-cortisol-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-and-vascular-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are hormone and growth factor levels different in women with PMDD during the luteal phase? Case-control study, 2024 # Are hormone and growth factor levels different in women with PMDD during the luteal phase? Yes. Women with PMDD have higher progesterone and cortisol during the late luteal phase, and these are linked to worse symptoms. Growth factors that may protect are lower in women with PMDD. Moderate study design 58 women with PMDD and 50 healthy women ## What they did 58 women with PMDD and 50 healthy women had blood samples at three timepoints during the luteal phase: preovulation, mid-luteal, and late-luteal. Researchers measured estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). They also measured PMDD severity, depression, perceived stress, attention, cravings, and fatigue. ## What they found Women with PMDD who had higher progesterone during the mid-luteal or late-luteal phase showed greater increases in PMDD symptoms. Women with PMDD had higher cortisol during the late-luteal phase than controls. BDNF was negatively linked with PMDD severity (lower BDNF meant worse symptoms). Both BDNF and VEGF were negatively linked with inattention and cravings for sweet foods among women with PMDD. ## What it means for you Progesterone and cortisol may worsen PMDD symptoms in the late luteal phase. Growth factors like BDNF may be protective. These are associations, not proof that hormones cause symptoms. Larger studies are needed. 58 Women with PMDD 50 Healthy control women 3 Blood sampling timepoints ## About the study Original title Estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Ko CH, Wong TH, Suen JL et al. Journal Journal of psychiatric research Year 2024 Study design Case-control study Participants 58 What was tested Blood hormone and growth factor measurement at three cycle timepoints Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.11.019](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.11.019) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/) 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 Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Non-randomised trial, 2008 Do mood, memory, and food cravings worsen during the luteal phase in women with PMDD? Review, 2004 Could a brain hormone called allopregnanolone explain mood problems like PMDD in women? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Cohort study, 2021 Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome? Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗