---
title: Is low serotonin the cause of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?
description: This study found no clear differences in serotonin function between women with LLPDD and those without it. The findings do not support the idea that serotonin
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/serotonergic-function-and-late-luteal-phase-dysphoric-disorder-1992/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Is low serotonin the cause of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?

Study, 1992

# Is low serotonin the cause of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?

This study found no clear differences in serotonin function between women with LLPDD and those without it. The findings do not support the idea that serotonin is the cause of LLPDD.

 Moderate study design

38 women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder and 18 women without LLPDD

## What they did

Researchers compared 38 women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder to 18 women without it. They measured serotonin activity in blood platelets on day 4 and day 26 of the menstrual cycle. They also gave all women a serotonin supplement (5-hydroxytryptophan) and measured how their body responded by checking two hormones: cortisol and beta-endorphin.

## What they found

Women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder did not show lower serotonin activity in blood platelets during the premenstrual phase compared to the postmenstrual phase. Their response to the serotonin supplement was not different from the control group in either cycle phase.

## What it means for you

This study did not find that serotonin function is different in LLPDD. This suggests serotonin problems alone do not explain LLPDD. Serotonin might still play a role along with other factors. The main limit is that this is a small study looking at serotonin in one specific way.

38

women with LLPDD

18

women without LLPDD

200 mg

5-HTP dose tested

## About the study

Original title Serotonergic function and late luteal phase dysphoric disorder Authors Veeninga AT, Westenberg HG Journal Psychopharmacology Year 1992 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/bf02245301](https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02245301)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)

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

Review, 2023

What treatments help mental and physical health problems linked to the menstrual cycle?

Randomised trial, 2019

Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD?

Case-control study, 2016

Is cortisol dysregulation a cause of PMS or PMDD?

Review, 2003

How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Survey study, 2026

How common is PMDD among female medical students and what triggers it?

Survey study, 2026

What hormonal and psychological factors affect PMS symptoms?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗