---
title: Do women with severe premenstrual irritability have different hormone levels than other women?
description: Yes, in this small study. Women with severe premenstrual irritability and low mood had higher free testosterone at all three cycle points tested, and higher D
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/serum-levels-of-androgens-are-higher-in-women-with-premenstrual-irritability-and-1992/
---

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- Do women with severe premenstrual irritability have different hormone levels than other women?

Case-control study, 1992

# Do women with severe premenstrual irritability have different hormone levels than other women?

Yes, in this small study. Women with severe premenstrual irritability and low mood had higher free testosterone at all three cycle points tested, and higher DHEA and 17-OH-progesterone at some points, compared with women without premenstrual complaints.

 Early or limited evidence

11 women with severe premenstrual irritability and dysphoria, compared with 11 age-matched women with no premenstrual complaints.

## What they did

Researchers measured several hormones in blood (progesterone, total and free testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA, DHEAS, 17-OH-progesterone, and SHBG) at three points in the cycle: follicular phase, around ovulation, and luteal phase. This was done in 11 women with severe premenstrual irritability and dysphoria and 11 age-matched women with no premenstrual complaints.

## What they found

Free testosterone was significantly higher in the PMS group at all three time points: luteal phase (p<0.01), follicular phase (p<0.05), and around ovulation (p<0.01). DHEA was higher around ovulation (p<0.05), and 17-OH-progesterone was higher in the luteal phase (p<0.05). No differences were found for the other hormones or SHBG.

## What it means for you

This suggests androgens (male-type hormones women also produce) could play a role in premenstrual irritability and low mood. The study only included 11 women per group, so the results need confirming in larger studies before drawing firm conclusions.

11

Women per group

p<0.01

Free testosterone, luteal phase

p<0.05

17-OH-progesterone, luteal phase

## About the study

Original title Serum levels of androgens are higher in women with premenstrual irritability and dysphoria than in controls Authors Eriksson E, Sundblad C, Lisjö P et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1992 Study design Case-control study Participants 11 What was tested No treatment tested; this measured hormone levels across the menstrual cycle. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(92)90058-f](https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(92)90058-f)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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