Review, 2025
What do menstrually-related mood disorders and postpartum depression have in common?
They share similar symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and depressed mood. They may be caused by similar hormone changes and stress effects on the brain, but more research is needed to understand all the factors involved.
What they did
The authors reviewed published research on the causes of menstrually-related mood disorders (MRMDs) and postpartum depression (PPD) to find shared biological pathways between them.
What they found
MRMDs and PPD overlap in symptoms and underlying causes. Both involve dramatic hormone changes, changes in how the body responds to stress (HPA axis), and effects on brain chemicals including GABA and serotonin. Chronic stress may also play a role.
What it means for you
These conditions may share common biological pathways, which could help develop better treatments for women who experience both. The main limit is that this is a review of existing research, not new findings from a study.
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrually-related mood disorders and postpartum depression: Convergent aspects in aetiology
- Authors
- Islas-Preciado D, Estrada-Camarena E, Galea LAM
- Journal
- Frontiers in neuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2024.101171
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2026
Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?
Systematic review, 2021
Are there hormone changes that could explain PMDD or depression in women?
Review, 2003
How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
Study, 2025
Can blood markers that predict depression after childbirth also predict PMDD?
Randomised trial, 2020
Do steroid metabolites differ between women with PMDD and those without?
Randomised trial, 2017
Do hormones process differently in women with PMDD?