---
title: Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes. A brain chemical called beta-endorphin was lower in women with PMS, and it decreased more during the later part of their cycle compared to women without
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/neuropeptide-levels-in-premenstrual-syndrome-1985/
---

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- Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMS?

Study, 1985

# Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMS?

Yes. A brain chemical called beta-endorphin was lower in women with PMS, and it decreased more during the later part of their cycle compared to women without PMS.

 Moderate study design

20 women with a PMS diagnosis and 20 asymptomatic women

## What they did

Researchers measured brain chemicals including beta-endorphin in 20 women with PMS and 20 without symptoms at different times of their menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Beta-endorphin levels were clearly lower in women with PMS. Levels also showed a clear decrease during the luteal phase (later part of your cycle) in women with PMS. Other brain chemicals (neurotensin, pancreatic peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin, and bombesin-like proteins) showed no clear changes between cycle phases in women with PMS.

## What it means for you

Low beta-endorphin may be involved in PMS symptoms, since this brain chemical can affect mood and pain. However, this was a small study with only 40 women, and we do not know if low beta-endorphin causes PMS or is a result of it.

20

women with PMS studied

20

asymptomatic women

6

different brain chemicals measured

## About the study

Original title Neuropeptide levels in premenstrual syndrome Authors Chuong CJ, Coulam CB, Kao PC et al. Journal Fertility and sterility Year 1985 Study design Study Participants 25 Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49034-5](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49034-5)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

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