--- title: Does serotonin activity change across the menstrual cycle? | Niyora description: Yes. Serotonin transporter binding was highest in the late follicular phase (right before ovulation), while serotonin receptor binding was highest in the earl url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/influence-of-menstrual-cycle-on-platelet-serotonin-uptake-site-and-serotonin2a-2004/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does serotonin activity change across the menstrual cycle? Non-randomised trial, 2004 # Does serotonin activity change across the menstrual cycle? Yes. Serotonin transporter binding was highest in the late follicular phase (right before ovulation), while serotonin receptor binding was highest in the early follicular and early luteal phases. These changes correlated with estradiol and progesterone levels. Early or limited evidence 28 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles, not using oral contraceptives. ## What they did Researchers measured serotonin transporter binding and serotonin receptor binding in blood samples from 28 healthy women without oral contraceptives at different phases of their menstrual cycle. ## What they found Serotonin transporter binding was significantly higher in late follicular phase than in ovulatory (p<0.01), early luteal (p<0.05), and mid-luteal phases (p<0.01). Serotonin receptor binding was significantly higher in early follicular and early luteal phases compared to mid-luteal phase (p<0.001 and p<0.05). Estradiol and progesterone levels correlated with binding affinity in different phases. ## What it means for you This suggests serotonin function changes across the menstrual cycle in sync with reproductive hormones. This might help explain why some women experience mood symptoms in certain cycle phases. However, this is a small lab study in healthy women, not women with mood symptoms, so it doesn't prove serotonin changes cause PMDD. 28 Healthy women studied p<0.01 Significance (serotonin transporter) p<0.001 Significance (serotonin receptor) ## About the study Original title Influence of menstrual cycle on platelet serotonin uptake site and serotonin2A receptor binding Authors Wihlbäck AC, Sundström Poromaa I, Bixo M et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2004 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 28 What was tested No intervention; serotonin binding was measured at different cycle phases. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(03)00120-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(03)00120-3) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) 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 Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Randomised trial, 2023 What does research show about PMDD neurochemistry? Non-randomised trial, 2001 Do people with PMDD have different breathing patterns? Review, 1991 What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder? Review, 2017 What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗