Cohort study, 1992
Is hormone control by the brain different in women with PMS?
No. The pattern of hormone changes across the menstrual cycle was similar in women with PMS and controls, with only a minor difference in FSH during the mid-luteal phase.
What they did
Researchers measured pulsatile LH (luteinizing hormone) every 10 minutes for 8 hours at three cycle phases: early follicular, mid-luteal, and late luteal. They also measured FSH, estradiol, and progesterone in 17 women with PMS and 8 control women.
What they found
Both groups showed the same pattern of hormone level changes across the menstrual cycle. All hormones varied as expected with cycle phase. FSH was slightly higher in the PMS group during the mid-luteal phase. The pattern and frequency of LH pulses was similar in both groups.
What it means for you
The brain's control of hormone secretion appears normal in women with PMS, suggesting the problem is not in how hormones are regulated. This was a small study.
17
women with PMS
8
healthy women
8
hours of LH measurement
About the study
- Original title
- Pulsatile LH secretion in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS): evidence for normal neuroregulation of the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Reame NE, Marshall JC, Kelch RP
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 17
- What was tested
- None. Hormones were measured at different cycle phases.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(92)90059-g
Topics
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