--- title: Can stress trigger PMDD-like symptoms in female monkeys and does traditional Chinese medicine treat it? description: In this animal study, stress caused PMDD-like symptoms in 70% of monkeys and was linked to hormone and brain chemical changes. A traditional Chinese medicine url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoria-and-luteal-stress-in-dominant-social-status-female-2013/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can stress trigger PMDD-like symptoms in female monkeys and does traditional Chinese medicine treat it? Randomised trial, 2013 # Can stress trigger PMDD-like symptoms in female monkeys and does traditional Chinese medicine treat it? In this animal study, stress caused PMDD-like symptoms in 70% of monkeys and was linked to hormone and brain chemical changes. A traditional Chinese medicine reversed both the symptoms and chemical abnormalities. Early or limited evidence 30 young female dominant-status macaque monkeys ## What they did Animal study of 30 young dominant-status female monkeys divided into three groups. Stressed groups were isolated and immobilized for 5-6 hours daily on menstrual cycle days 18-22 for 2 consecutive cycles. One stressed group received jingqianping, a traditional Chinese medicine. Researchers measured hormones, brain chemicals, and observed behavior and facial expressions. ## What they found 70% of stressed monkeys showed PMDD-like symptoms during three consecutive menstrual cycles. These monkeys had significantly lower estradiol and progesterone, significantly lower serotonin and dopamine, but significantly higher noradrenaline. The monkeys treated with jingqianping showed reversal of both the PMDD-like symptoms and the abnormal neurotransmitter levels. ## What it means for you This animal study suggests stress may trigger PMDD through changes in hormones and brain chemicals like serotonin. A traditional Chinese medicine affected these pathways in monkeys. However, animal studies do not always predict human responses, and this was only one species of monkey. 70% Monkeys developing PMDD-like symptoms 30 Total monkeys in study 5-6 hours Daily stress duration ## About the study Original title Premenstrual dysphoria and luteal stress in dominant-social-status female macaques Authors Qiao M, Zhao Q, Wei S et al. Journal Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM Year 2013 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Isolation and immobilization stress, with treatment group receiving jingqianping granule Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/2013/393862](https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/393862) Original abstract The current study aims to extend our previous work to develop nonhuman primate model for prospectively studying the mechanism underlying premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Thirty young dominant-status female monkeys were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and JQP group. For two consecutive menstrual cycles, from day 18 to 22, monkeys in the model and JQP groups were housed and immobilized singly in specially designed isolation cages for 5-6 hours per day. At the same time, the pharmaceutical interference effect of jingqianping (JQP) granule, a traditional Chinese medicine specifically used to cure PMDD patients, was tested using monkeys in the JQP group. The behavior and facial expressions of monkeys were photographed with an automatic vidicon and were quantitatively analyzed by "the emotion evaluation scale of female experimental macaque." Changes in serum level of progesterone and estradiol were measured with RIA, and serum level of 5-HT, noradrenaline, and dopamine were measured with HPLC. After experiencing mentioned above stress, 70% of monkeys of model group showed PMDD symptoms during three consecutive menstrual cycles. Estradiol and progesterone serum level decreased (P < 0.01). Moreover, the peak value of secreted hormones in their follicular phase did not occur. Serum level of 5-HT and dopamine were significantly lower (P < 0.01), but the serum noradrenaline level was higher (P < 0.01). Moreover, in monkeys administered by JQP granule, both PMDD symptoms and the anormal serum level of neurotransmitters could be obviously reversed. This special luteal-phase treatment on dominant-social-status monkeys might be a feasible way to create models mimicking PMDD. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/) 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 Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD among female medical students and what triggers it? Study, 2026 How do brain chemicals relate to PMDD and what treatments can help? Review, 2023 What treatments help mental and physical health problems linked to the menstrual cycle? Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Review, 2017 Can combining different types of treatments help PMS more than using one approach alone? Systematic review, 2017 Is Vitex agnus castus safe and effective for treating PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗