---
title: Do women with PMS have different cortisol levels and patterns?
description: Women with PMS may have higher stress-related cortisol levels and delayed patterns. Many studies are small with limited power, so conclusions are tentative.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-cortisol-2021/
---

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- Do women with PMS have different cortisol levels and patterns?

Case-control study, 2021

# Do women with PMS have different cortisol levels and patterns?

Women with PMS may have higher stress-related cortisol levels and delayed patterns. Many studies are small with limited power, so conclusions are tentative.

 Early or limited evidence

Research on women with PMS and PMDD (review)

## What they did

Narrative review of 46 research articles from 2009 to 2020 on PMS, PMDD, and cortisol profiles.

## What they found

Women with PMS may have higher cortisol levels related to stress regardless of cycle phase, delayed cortisol awakening response peak, and delayed cortisol decline during the day. The cortisol awakening response pattern does not seem related to menstrual cycle phases. Women with PMS who have higher allopregnanolone (a progesterone metabolite) show blunted cortisol levels at night compared to women without PMS. Allopregnanolone may modulate GABA receptors in a way that induces anxiety and irritability during the luteal phase in women with PMDD.

## What it means for you

Stress hormones may be disrupted in PMS, but evidence is mixed. Main limit: most studies are small.

46

research articles reviewed

2009-2020

years covered

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome and cortisol Authors Florica Şandru, Mihai Cristian DUMITRASCU, Eugenia Nedeltcheva Petrova et al. Journal Romanian Journal of Medical Practice Year 2021 Study design Case-control study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.37897/rjmp.2021.1.2](https://doi.org/10.37897/rjmp.2021.1.2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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## Related studies

Non-randomised trial, 2024

Does luteal phase sertraline treatment affect stress hormones and inflammation in PMDD?

Cohort study, 2001

Do women with PMDD handle stress hormones differently than women without it?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

Review, 2003

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

Randomised trial, 2024

Does sertraline change brain chemicals in people with PMDD, and does this relate to symptom improvement?

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