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.
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
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Randomised trial, 1998
Is intermittent citalopram during the luteal phase more effective than continuous dosing?
Randomised trial, 1995
Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does escitalopram reduce aggressive behavior in women with premenstrual anger and irritability?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does escitalopram improve attention and reduce impulsivity in women with premenstrual irritability and anger?