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.
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
Topics
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