Study, 1977
What hormone levels are abnormal in women with severe premenstrual tension?
Women with severe PMS had lower progesterone levels about 8 days before their period. In a larger study, approximately 30% had higher prolactin and lower progesterone during the second half of their cycle.
What they did
Researchers measured hormone levels in 8 women with severe PMS and 8 women without symptoms, looking at progesterone and aldosterone. They then tracked these hormones plus prolactin in a larger ongoing study of 58 women with severe PMS.
What they found
The first group showed low progesterone 8 days before the period. In the larger study, approximately 30% of the 58 women had raised prolactin and low progesterone during the second half of their cycle. These women also had shorter menstrual cycles. Aldosterone levels did not show consistent changes.
What it means for you
Low progesterone and high prolactin may contribute to PMS in some women. However, these changes were only found in about a third of the women studied, and symptoms started earlier than when the progesterone drop was detected, suggesting other factors are also involved. The studies were small and ongoing.
8
women with PMS in first study
58
women with PMS in larger study
~30%
women with raised prolactin and low progesterone
About the study
- Original title
- Hormone levels in severe premenstrual tension
- Authors
- Madeleine R Munday
- Journal
- Current Medical Research and Opinion
- Year
- 1977
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 58
- What was tested
- None (observation only)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1185/03007997709115296
Topics
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