---
title: Does elevated prolactin cause premenstrual tension? | Niyora
description: No. Prolactin levels were normal in women with severe PMS. When a drug that lowers prolactin was given, hormone levels changed but symptoms did not improve.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/plasma-prolactin-and-severe-premenstrual-tension-1984/
---

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- Does elevated prolactin cause premenstrual tension?

Non-randomised trial, 1984

# Does elevated prolactin cause premenstrual tension?

No. Prolactin levels were normal in women with severe PMS. When a drug that lowers prolactin was given, hormone levels changed but symptoms did not improve.

 Early or limited evidence

37 women with severe premenstrual tension syndrome plus 4 asymptomatic controls

## What they did

Measured prolactin levels at different cycle phases in 37 women with severe PMS and 4 controls. Later, 30 women with severe PMS were treated with bromocriptine.

## What they found

All prolactin values were normal. Afternoon prolactin showed slight increase before period in some women, but one-third had decreased levels. Bromocriptine changed hormone levels but did not improve symptoms.

## What it means for you

Prolactin probably does not cause PMS. The study was very small (37 women, only 4 controls) and included only women with severe symptoms, limiting how much we can generalize.

37

Women with severe PMS

30

Treated with bromocriptine

1/3

Had decreased prolactin before period

## About the study

Original title Plasma prolactin and severe premenstrual tension Authors Steiner M, Haskett RF, Carroll BJ et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1984 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 26 What was tested Bromocriptine (a drug that affects prolactin levels) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(84)90019-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(84)90019-2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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