--- title: Do women with PMS have different hormone levels? | Niyora description: Women with PMS have lower progesterone levels throughout the luteal phase, with the biggest drop near the end of the cycle. However, hormone levels alone are url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relationship-between-steroid-hormone-profile-and-premenstrual-syndrome-in-women-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with PMS have different hormone levels? Survey study, 2024 # Do women with PMS have different hormone levels? Women with PMS have lower progesterone levels throughout the luteal phase, with the biggest drop near the end of the cycle. However, hormone levels alone are not reliable enough to diagnose PMS. Early or limited evidence 2666 women attending a fertility clinic; 894 had evaluable hormone tests ## What they did Retrospective cross-sectional study of 2666 women attending a fertility clinic for fertility problems or recurrent miscarriage. 894 women had at least one blood test measuring progesterone and oestradiol during the luteal phase (after ovulation). Researchers compared hormone levels in women with and without PMS symptoms. ## What they found Progesterone levels were up to 10 nmol/L lower in women with PMS compared to women without PMS. This difference was statistically significant for most PMS symptoms when measured at 9 or more days after ovulation. Oestradiol showed a similar trend but was not statistically significant. Steroid hormone levels alone were not useful for identifying who had PMS. ## What it means for you Women with PMS do show lower progesterone, particularly late in their cycle, providing some biological evidence that PMS involves hormone differences. However, hormone levels cannot reliably diagnose PMS on their own. A major limitation is the study looked only at women seeking fertility help, which is a specific group and may not represent all women. 10 nmol/L progesterone difference in women with PMS 894 women with hormone tests 9+ days timing after ovulation when difference was significant ## About the study Original title Relationship Between Steroid Hormone Profile and Premenstrual Syndrome in Women Consulting for Infertility or Recurrent Miscarriage Authors Turner JV, McLindon LA, Turner DV et al. Journal Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) Year 2024 Study design Survey study Participants 2,666 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01375-w](https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01375-w) Original abstract To determine the relationships between luteal-phase steroidal hormonal profile and PMS for a large number of women attending a dedicated fertility clinic. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study on women attending a hospital-based clinic for fertility concerns and/or recurrent miscarriage. All participants were assessed with a women's health questionnaire which also included evaluation of premenstrual symptoms. Day of ovulation was identified based on the peak mucus symptom assessed by the woman after instruction in a fertility awareness-based method (FABM). This enabled reliable timing of luteal-phase serum hormone levels to be taken and analysed. Between 2011 and 2021, 894 of the 2666 women undertaking the women's health assessment had at least one evaluable serum luteal hormone test. Serum progesterone levels were up to 10 nmol/L lower for symptomatic women compared with asymptomatic women. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for the majority of PMS symptoms at ≥ 9 days after the peak mucus symptom. A similar trend was observed for oestradiol but differences were generally not statistically significant. ROC curves demonstrated that steroid levels during the luteal phase were not discriminating in identifying the presence of PMS symptoms. Blood levels for progesterone were lower throughout the luteal phase in women with PMS, with the greatest effect seen late in the luteal phase. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2026 What is it like for women to live with PMS or PMDD? Systematic review, 2025 Is there a link between stress, trauma, and premenstrual symptoms? Cohort study, 2024 Do women with severe premenstrual disorders have higher risk of relationship breakup? Randomised trial, 2023 Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function? Systematic review, 2021 Are women with PMS or PMDD more likely to think about or attempt suicide? Randomised trial, 2011 Does a 24/4 birth control pill help women with PMDD improve work, relationship, and social functioning? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗