Skip to content

Survey study, 2020

Does the hormone estradiol cause PMS?

No. This study found estradiol levels were similar in women with and without PMS, suggesting other factors like lifestyle, diet, or genetics are responsible. This is low certainty because the sample was small.

Early or limited evidence 31 female medical students with PMS and 50 healthy controls, ages 18-28

What they did

Cross-sectional study comparing 31 female medical students with PMS symptoms to 50 healthy controls, ages 18-28, in Faisalabad, Pakistan, September-November 2017. Participants answered a symptom questionnaire and blood samples were taken during the luteal phase to measure estradiol using ELISA.

What they found

Women with PMS reported significantly more affective symptoms than controls. However, serum estradiol levels did not differ significantly between the two groups.

What it means for you

Estradiol alone does not appear to cause PMS symptoms. The study suggests that lifestyle, diet, or genetics may be more important. However, only 31 women with PMS were studied, so we cannot be confident in this conclusion. Also, researchers only measured one hormone.

31

Women with PMS symptoms

50

Healthy controls

18-28

Age range of participants

About the study

Original title
Role of 17 Beta Estradiol in Etiology of Premenstrual Syndrome in Medical Students
Authors
Sadaf Saeed, Muhammad Saeed, Aysha Azhar et al.
Journal
Annals of Punjab Medical College
Year
2020
Study design
Survey study
Participants
31
What was tested
None - comparison study
Open access
Yes

Topics