Case-control study, 1987
Do women with premenstrual tension have lower beta-endorphin?
Yes. Women with symptoms had lower blood beta-endorphin during the early luteal phase (10.7 vs 14.6 pg/ml). This suggests a hormonal difference but doesn't prove it causes symptoms.
What they did
Measured blood beta-endorphin and hormone levels in 12 women with premenstrual tension and 14 control women at different phases of the cycle.
What they found
In the early luteal phase, women with symptoms had lower beta-endorphin (10.7 pg/ml) than controls (14.6 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Levels of LH, cortisol, estradiol, and progesterone did not differ significantly. Women with symptoms showed no change in beta-endorphin between follicular and luteal phases.
What it means for you
Lower blood beta-endorphin may relate to premenstrual tension, but this was a very small study and doesn't prove causation. The problem might be in the brain rather than just the blood. Much larger studies are needed.
10.7 pg/ml
Beta-endorphin in women with symptoms
14.6 pg/ml
Beta-endorphin in controls
P < 0.05
Statistical significance
About the study
- Original title
- Plasma beta-endorphin immunoreactivity in premenstrual tension
- Authors
- Tulenheimo A, Laatikainen T, Salminen K
- Journal
- British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 14
- What was tested
- Measurement of blood beta-endorphin levels
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1987.tb02247.x
Topics
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