---
title: How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
description: A hormone called allopregnanolone acts on brain receptors. Changes in this hormone during the cycle may cause mood and behavioral symptoms in up to 20% of peo
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pathogenesis-in-menstrual-cycle-linked-cns-disorders-2003/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Review, 2003

# How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

A hormone called allopregnanolone acts on brain receptors. Changes in this hormone during the cycle may cause mood and behavioral symptoms in up to 20% of people through three mechanisms: direct effects, building tolerance, and withdrawal effects.

 Strong study design

Review article, not a study of specific people.

## What they did

Review article explaining the theory of how menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain in mood and behavior disorders, based on animal and human studies.

## What they found

Allopregnanolone is naturally produced during the menstrual cycle and affects GABA-A receptors in the brain. It can cause problems through three mechanisms: direct effects (sedation, mood changes), tolerance induction (women become less sensitive to the hormone), and withdrawal effects (mood worsens when levels drop). Up to 20% of individuals can experience adverse mood reactions. Women with PMDD may be less sensitive to GABA-A receptor changes.

## What it means for you

This review presents a theory for how PMDD develops through changes in allopregnanolone during the menstrual cycle. The theory is based on scientific research but is not yet proven as the complete cause of PMS or PMDD. It suggests why some women experience cyclical mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle.

up to 20%

People with adverse mood reactions to GABA steroids

## About the study

Original title Pathogenesis in menstrual cycle-linked CNS disorders Authors Bäckström T, Andersson A, Andreé L et al. Journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Year 2003 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable - review article. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1196/annals.1286.005](https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1286.005)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

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

Review, 2010

Can neurosteroids help with anxiety and brain disorders?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does a smartphone app for heart rate variability biofeedback reduce premenstrual and depressive symptoms?

Survey study, 2011

Why do some women experience negative mood with hormone changes?

Randomised trial, 2009

Does a hormone called allopregnanolone calm the body's startle reaction in PMDD?

Survey study, 2009

Why do some women feel depressed or anxious when progesterone increases before their period?

Review, 2004

Could a brain hormone called allopregnanolone explain mood problems like PMDD in women?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗