---
title: Does PMS get worse with higher hormone levels? | Niyora
description: Yes, women with PMS have worse symptoms in months when their estradiol and progesterone levels are high. This contradicts the theory that PMS is caused by low
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relationship-between-symptom-severity-and-hormone-changes-in-women-with-1989/
---

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- Does PMS get worse with higher hormone levels?

Survey study, 1989

# Does PMS get worse with higher hormone levels?

Yes, women with PMS have worse symptoms in months when their estradiol and progesterone levels are high. This contradicts the theory that PMS is caused by low progesterone.

 Moderate study design

18 women with premenstrual tension syndrome

## What they did

Eighteen women with PMS were tracked for 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Each day they recorded their symptoms and had blood tests to measure estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH.

## What they found

Premenstrual symptoms were worse in cycles when estradiol and progesterone were high in the two weeks before menstruation. High estradiol during this time was especially linked to worse symptoms and lower positive mood. Women had more severe PMS in cycles with high estradiol and progesterone. This finding contradicts the idea that progesterone deficiency causes PMS.

## What it means for you

PMS may be caused by the body's reaction to high hormone levels, not by lack of progesterone. The main limitations are the small sample of only 18 women and the lack of a comparison group.

18

women studied

2

consecutive cycles tracked

## About the study

Original title Relationship between symptom severity and hormone changes in women with premenstrual syndrome Authors Hammarbäck S, Damber JE, Bäckström T Journal The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Year 1989 Study design Survey study Participants 18 What was tested None (tracking symptoms and hormones) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1210/jcem-68-1-125](https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-68-1-125)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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