---
title: Does progesterone withdrawal affect anxiety in female brains?
description: When progesterone levels drop, specific changes happen in a brain region involved in anxiety. This research is in rats, not humans, so we do not know if the f
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/gaba-in-the-female-brain-oestrous-cycle-related-changes-in-gabaergic-function-in-2008/
---

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- Does progesterone withdrawal affect anxiety in female brains?

Lab study, 2008

# Does progesterone withdrawal affect anxiety in female brains?

When progesterone levels drop, specific changes happen in a brain region involved in anxiety. This research is in rats, not humans, so we do not know if the findings apply to women.

 Early or limited evidence

Female rats at different stages of their reproductive cycle

## What they did

They examined female rats' brains at different cycle phases, focusing on what happens when progesterone drops. They studied a brain region involved in anxiety.

## What they found

When progesterone levels dropped, there were increased numbers of certain anxiety-related receptors in the brain. The brain became more sensitive to anxiety-triggering chemicals. These changes happened more in rats housed in normal conditions than in rats in quiet, isolated rooms.

## What it means for you

Drops in progesterone during the cycle may trigger anxiety changes in the brain, which could relate to how some women feel before their period. The main limitation is that this was tested in rats, not humans, and environment seems to affect the changes.

## About the study

Original title GABA in the female brain -- oestrous cycle-related changes in GABAergic function in the periaqueductal grey matter Authors Lovick TA Journal Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior Year 2008 Study design Lab study What was tested None; observation of natural cycle changes in rats. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2007.12.014](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2007.12.014)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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