---
title: Are hormone levels different in women with PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women with PMDD had significantly lower melatonin and progesterone levels and higher prolactin levels during the late luteal phase compared to women with
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/radioimmunoassays-of-hormonal-changes-associated-with-dysphoric-disorder-in-2001/
---

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- Are hormone levels different in women with PMDD?

Survey study, 2001

# Are hormone levels different in women with PMDD?

Yes. Women with PMDD had significantly lower melatonin and progesterone levels and higher prolactin levels during the late luteal phase compared to women without PMDD.

 Early or limited evidence

12 women with PMDD and 12 women without PMDD in Egypt

## What they did

Cross-sectional study comparing hormone levels in 12 women with PMDD and 12 women without PMDD during the late luteal phase. Researchers measured melatonin, prolactin, and progesterone using blood tests.

## What they found

Melatonin levels were significantly lower in women with PMDD (mean 25.25) compared to women without (mean 79.25, P<0.05). Prolactin was higher in women with PMDD (mean 39.08) versus without (mean 20.17, P<0.05). Progesterone was lower in PMDD women (mean 20.42) versus non-PMDD women (mean 33.58, P<0.05). Melatonin and prolactin were inversely correlated (r=0.931, P<0.001), and melatonin and progesterone were directly correlated (r=0.894, P<0.001).

## What it means for you

Low melatonin may play a role in PMDD, possibly through problems in the pineal gland. However, the study is very small with only 12 women in each group, so results need confirmation in larger studies. The study was also done only in Egypt.

25.25 vs 79.25

Melatonin levels in PMDD versus control

39.08 vs 20.17

Prolactin levels in PMDD versus control

20.42 vs 33.58

Progesterone levels in PMDD versus control

## About the study

Original title Radioimmunoassays Of Hormonal Changes Associated With Dysphoric Disorder In Premenstrual Women Authors Ragab H. EL-Yamani, Maha G. Soliman Journal The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine Year 2001 Study design Survey study Participants 12 What was tested None. Observational study measuring hormone levels. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.21608/ejhm.2001.18864](https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhm.2001.18864)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Systematic review, 2025

How do cognition and behavior change across the menstrual cycle in people with PMDD?

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