Case-control study, 2012
Could genes explain why some women have severe PMS?
Possibly. A genetic variant was more common in women without severe PMS, suggesting it may protect against severe symptoms, but this pilot study was very small.
What they did
19 young Caucasian women (10 with severe PMS, 9 controls) provided saliva samples for DNA testing of gene variants related to stress response.
What they found
10% of women with severe PMS had the C/C genotype for the SRD5A1 gene variant, compared to 44% of women without severe symptoms. This suggests the C/C genotype may protect against developing severe PMS.
What it means for you
This small pilot study suggests genetics might partly explain why some women have worse PMS. However, the sample is too small to draw firm conclusions. A much larger study is needed to confirm whether this gene variant truly protects against severe PMS.
10%
severe PMS cases with C/C genotype
44%
controls with C/C genotype
19
total women studied
About the study
- Original title
- SRD5A1 genotype frequency differences in women with mild versus severe premenstrual symptoms
- Authors
- Adams M, McCrone S
- Journal
- Issues in mental health nursing
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 19
- What was tested
- DNA testing for gene variants affecting stress response
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2011.625514
Topics
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