Survey study, 1993
Do women with PMS have different hormone pulse patterns than women without symptoms?
Yes. Women with PMS had more frequent but smaller pulses of progesterone and LH during the luteal phase compared to women without symptoms, even though overall hormone levels were similar.
What they did
Cross-sectional study of 14 women with confirmed PMS and 14 women without symptoms. Blood samples were drawn every 10 minutes for 12 hours during the luteal phase. Progesterone and LH pulses were measured and compared.
What they found
Women with PMS had higher progesterone pulse frequency (13.4 ± 1.8 vs 11.4 ± 2.3, P < 0.02) and reduced pulse amplitude (126.5 ± 61.6% vs 187.1 ± 126.7%, P < 0.03). Mean 12-hour progesterone and LH levels were similar. Progesterone pulses followed LH pulses with a 0-10 minute delay in both groups.
What it means for you
The authors conclude PMS involves altered hormone release patterns despite normal overall levels, suggesting a neuroendocrine disorder. The main limitation is the small sample size of 14 per group, and findings only apply to the luteal phase.
13.4 vs 11.4
Progesterone pulse frequency, PMS vs controls
126.5 vs 187.1
Pulse amplitude (%), PMS vs controls
14
Women in each group
About the study
- Original title
- Neuroendocrine changes in luteal function in patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Facchinetti F, Genazzani AD, Martignoni E et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 14
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1210/jcem.76.5.8496301