--- title: Does serotonin uptake change during the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual tension? description: Yes, serotonin uptake capacity and serotonin levels were significantly lower during the premenstrual phase. Only 16 women were studied, so results need confir url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/serotonin-levels-and-platelet-uptake-during-premenstrual-tension-1984/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does serotonin uptake change during the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual tension? Survey study, 1984 # Does serotonin uptake change during the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual tension? Yes, serotonin uptake capacity and serotonin levels were significantly lower during the premenstrual phase. Only 16 women were studied, so results need confirmation in larger groups. Early or limited evidence 16 women with premenstrual tension ## What they did In 16 women with premenstrual tension, researchers measured serotonin uptake and serotonin levels in blood samples during the premenstrual and postmenstrual phases. They also asked women to report their distress using a standard questionnaire. ## What they found Serotonin uptake capacity was 8.2 +/- 0.9 pmol/min during the premenstrual phase compared to 14.4 +/- 3.2 pmol/min during the postmenstrual phase. Serotonin levels in one type of blood plasma were 23.2% lower and in another type 19.1% lower during the premenstrual phase. Correlations were found between serotonin uptake measurements and some premenstrual symptoms. ## What it means for you Serotonin uptake and levels drop significantly before menstruation, which might explain mood and emotional symptoms of PMS. The study's main limitation is its small size of only 16 women. 8.2 vs 14.4 serotonin uptake premenstrual vs postmenstrual (pmol/min) 23.2% serotonin level reduction in platelet-rich plasma 19.1% serotonin level reduction in platelet-poor plasma ## About the study Original title Serotonin levels and platelet uptake during premenstrual tension Authors Taylor DL, Mathew RJ, Ho BT et al. Journal Neuropsychobiology Year 1984 Study design Survey study Participants 16 Read the paper [doi.org/10.1159/000118103](https://doi.org/10.1159/000118103) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/) 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 Randomised trial, 2026 Does Kundalini Reiki help reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life? Randomised trial, 2026 Does calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduce PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS? Systematic review, 2026 Does vitamin D supplementation help PMS symptoms? Systematic review, 2026 Do mindfulness and relaxation techniques help with PMS symptoms? Cohort study, 2025 Do women with PMS or PMDD report lower quality of life than women without these conditions? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗