--- title: Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be? description: In this small study, women with a PMDD-like condition had higher levels of a calming hormone (allopregnanolone) early in the cycle, and higher levels of it pr url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/neuroactive-steroid-levels-are-elevated-in-the-follicular-phase-and-predict-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be? Case-control study, 2025 # Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be? In this small study, women with a PMDD-like condition had higher levels of a calming hormone (allopregnanolone) early in the cycle, and higher levels of it predicted worse later depression and anxiety. The sample is small, so this is an early finding, not a proven cause. Early or limited evidence 9 women with menstrually related mood disorder (PMDD-type) and 14 healthy women ## What they did Researchers studied 9 women with menstrually related mood disorder (diagnosed using daily symptom tracking and PMDD criteria) and 14 healthy women. They measured depression and anxiety scores and blood levels of neuroactive steroids (hormone-related brain chemicals) at three points in the cycle: mid-follicular, mid-luteal, and late luteal. ## What they found As expected, depression was worse in the mood-disorder group only in the late luteal (premenstrual) phase. In the mid-follicular phase, average allopregnanolone levels and the allopregnanolone-to-progesterone ratio were higher in the mood-disorder group than controls; there was no group difference in luteal-phase allopregnanolone. Higher follicular-phase allopregnanolone and allopregnanolone sulfate predicted greater depression in the mid- and late-luteal phases and greater anxiety in the late-luteal phase. ## What it means for you Allopregnanolone normally has antidepressant effects, so this early-cycle rise may be the body trying to compensate for later premenstrual depression and anxiety, or it could paradoxically help trigger those symptoms later. With only 9 women in the mood-disorder group, this needs confirmation in larger studies before any practical use. 9 Women with mood disorder 14 Healthy controls 3 Cycle phases measured ## About the study Original title Neuroactive steroid levels are elevated in the follicular phase and predict premenstrual depression and anxiety symptom severity in women with menstrually related mood disorder Authors Kimball A, Bourassa J, Chicote ML et al. Journal Archives of women's mental health Year 2025 Study design Case-control study What was tested No treatment tested; hormone levels and mood were measured, not manipulated Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01532-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-024-01532-3) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/) 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 Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Randomised trial, 2024 Does sertraline change brain chemicals in people with PMDD, and does this relate to symptom improvement? Cohort study, 2012 How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms? Review, 2002 What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected? Review, 2001 What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety disorders, including PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗