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.
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
Topics
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