Case-control study, 1992
Are prostaglandin hormone levels different in women with PMS?
Yes. Women with PMS have lower levels of one prostaglandin during the luteal phase and higher levels of several others at different times of the cycle.
What they did
Researchers measured 5 prostaglandins (hormone-like signaling molecules) at several time points across 3 menstrual cycles in 20 women with PMS, and 1 cycle in 12 control women.
What they found
In the late luteal phase, PMS women had significantly lower PGF2 alpha than controls. In the middle follicular and middle luteal phases, PMS women had significantly higher PGE. In the middle follicular phase, they had higher PGE2. In the middle and late luteal phases, they had higher TXB2. This suggests prostaglandin imbalance may contribute to PMS.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may have an abnormal pattern of prostaglandin production throughout their cycle, which could contribute to symptoms. The study is small and controls were only tracked for 1 cycle instead of 3.
20
women with PMS
12
control women
5
prostaglandins measured
About the study
- Original title
- Prostaglandins and premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Koshikawa N, Tatsunuma T, Furuya K et al.
- Journal
- Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 20
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0952-3278(92)90099-5
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