Review, 2015
Does inflammation during menstruation cause PMS and related symptoms?
This review suggests that inflammation caused by dropping estrogen and progesterone at menstruation causes menstrual and premenstrual symptoms including mood changes, headaches, and joint pain. Reducing the hormone-free interval in birth control from 7 to 2 days reduces inflammation and symptoms.
What they did
A literature review examining the evidence on inflammation and its role in menstrual and premenstrual symptoms. The review analyzed research on inflammatory markers, hormone levels, and physical and systemic symptoms related to menstruation and the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Inflammation triggered by the fall in estrogen and progesterone levels is associated with many menstrual and premenstrual symptoms including menstrual pain, PMS, headache, depression, joint pain, allergies, asthma, heavy menstrual bleeding, and anemia. Inflammation is modulated by mast cell degranulation in the endometrium, blood, and other organs. Shortening the hormone-free interval in hormonal contraception from 7 days to 2 days significantly reduces menstrual inflammation and associated symptoms.
What it means for you
Inflammation may be the underlying cause of many menstrual and premenstrual symptoms, suggesting that anti-inflammatory approaches could help. Reducing the hormone-free interval in birth control pills is one strategy supported by this evidence. The main limitation is that this is a review article rather than original research, and specific numbers about symptom improvement are not provided.
7
days in standard hormone-free interval
2
days in shortened hormone-free interval
About the study
- Original title
- [Menstruation, inflammation and comorbidities: implications for woman health]
- Authors
- Graziottin A, Zanello PP
- Journal
- Minerva ginecologica
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Hormone-free interval reduction in contraception (described as treatment approach)
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25660431/
Topics
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