---
title: What causes PMDD symptoms and how can they be treated? | Niyora
description: Low progesterone is linked to PMDD symptoms. A medication called allopregnanolone and certain foods may help reduce symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/every-month-the-result-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorders-2022/
---

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- What causes PMDD symptoms and how can they be treated?

Survey study, 2022

# What causes PMDD symptoms and how can they be treated?

Low progesterone is linked to PMDD symptoms. A medication called allopregnanolone and certain foods may help reduce symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review - not a study of specific women

## What they did

Reviewed scientific literature and personal experience to understand how PMDD develops and what the physical and emotional symptoms are.

## What they found

Low progesterone correlated with negative mood and physical symptoms in different phases of the menstrual cycle. Allopregnanolone (a type of medication) may reduce PMDD symptoms, and specific nutritional sources can help.

## What it means for you

Doctors should understand how low progesterone causes PMDD and how allopregnanolone works as a treatment. This is a literature review rather than a study of actual patients, so the evidence is limited.

## About the study

Original title Every month: The result of premenstrual dysphoric disorders Authors Edna Aurelus Journal International Journal of Scientific Research Updates Year 2022 Study design Survey study What was tested Allopregnanolone and nutritional sources Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.53430/ijsru.2022.4.1.0127](https://doi.org/10.53430/ijsru.2022.4.1.0127) Original abstract

Methods: Research was conducted using self-experience along with scientific literature findings to fully understand the physical and emotional syndromes of premenstrual dysphoric disorders (PMDD). Findings: Correlation with low progesterone in relation to negative affective and physical symptoms during the follicle and luteal phase were observed. Allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid, as a therapeutic agent can alleviate PMDD symptoms. Specific nutritional sources can also help alleviating the presenting symptoms. Conclusion: Awareness about PMDD symptoms is warranted in women experiencing them. Providers need to be familiar of the emotional and physical effect of low progesterone and the mechanism of action of Allopregnanolone in treating PMDD, when other interventions such as psychotherapy and other pharmacological intervention failed.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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

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Does sertraline change brain chemicals in people with PMDD, and does this relate to symptom improvement?

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Are differences in emotional brain activity in women with PMDD related to progesterone-derived neurosteroids?

Randomised trial, 2021

Does blocking progesterone receptors help women with PMDD control anger and aggression?

Randomised trial, 2020

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