Study, 2010
Are women with PMDD more sensitive to how light affects sleep hormones?
The study tested whether women with PMDD respond differently to light exposure by measuring effects on melatonin, a hormone related to sleep, at different times in the menstrual cycle.
What they did
Researchers exposed 10 women with PMDD and 13 women without PMDD to 200 lux of light (a specific brightness level) during two phases of the menstrual cycle: the mid-follicular phase and the late-luteal phase. They measured how much the light suppressed melatonin in each group at each cycle phase.
What they found
The study exposed 10 women with PMDD and 13 women without PMDD to 200 lux of light during the mid-follicular and late-luteal phases of their menstrual cycle, measuring how light suppressed melatonin production.
What it means for you
This research investigated whether PMDD involves differences in how the body responds to light or differences in circadian rhythm regulation. This is early research with a very small sample size, so the findings would need to be confirmed in larger studies.
10
women with PMDD
13
women without PMDD
200
lux of light exposure
About the study
- Original title
- Increased sensitivity to light-induced melatonin suppression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Parry BL, Meliska CJ, Sorenson DL et al.
- Journal
- Chronobiology international
- Year
- 2010
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 13
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/07420528.2010.503331
Topics
Related studies
Study, 2026
Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?
Cohort study, 2022
Do women with both bipolar disorder and PMDD have worse biological rhythm disruptions?
Randomised trial, 1999
Does bright light therapy help PMDD symptoms like depression and tension?
Randomised trial, 1994
How does light therapy affect hormone levels in women with PMDD?
Review, 2024
Can wearable devices track mood changes in PMDD before they happen?
Randomised trial, 2020
How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated?