---
title: Do steroid hormone levels change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD?
description: Yes. Progesterone rises earlier in the cycle in women with PMDD, leading to higher levels around ovulation and a sharper drop in the late luteal phase. This d
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/neuroactive-steroid-hormone-trajectories-across-the-menstrual-cycle-in-2024/
---

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- Do steroid hormone levels change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD?

Case-control study, 2024

# Do steroid hormone levels change differently across the menstrual cycle in women with PMDD?

Yes. Progesterone rises earlier in the cycle in women with PMDD, leading to higher levels around ovulation and a sharper drop in the late luteal phase. This different pattern may trigger symptoms.

 Strong study design

Women with PMDD and healthy control women

## What they did

Women with PMDD and healthy controls had blood samples at 8 key timepoints across the menstrual cycle. Using mass spectrometry, researchers measured 9 steroid hormones including progesterone and allopregnanolone, with data realigned so all women were compared at the same biological window.

## What they found

Only progesterone showed significant differences between women with PMDD and controls (p ≤ 0.001). In women with PMDD, progesterone rose earlier in the luteal phase, exposing them to higher progesterone around ovulation and a sharper drop in the late luteal phase. The other 8 steroid hormones did not show significant differences between groups.

## What it means for you

The timing and rate of progesterone change, not just the level itself, may be key to PMDD. Early rise followed by sharp withdrawal appears linked to negative mood. The 8-timepoint design is more rigorous than many studies, making findings more reliable.

8

Blood sampling timepoints

9

Steroid hormones measured

p ≤ 0.001

Progesterone difference

## About the study

Original title Neuroactive steroid hormone trajectories across the menstrual cycle in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): the PHASE study Authors Hamidovic A, Mumford S, Schisterman E et al. Journal Molecular psychiatry Year 2024 Study design Case-control study What was tested Blood collection at 8 menstrual cycle timepoints for hormone analysis Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02566-w](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02566-w)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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## Related studies

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

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Are there hormone changes that could explain PMDD or depression in women?

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Does sertraline change brain chemicals in people with PMDD, and does this relate to symptom improvement?

Review, 2020

Does progesterone help or harm women's mood?

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