Case-control study, 2021
Do women with PMS have different stress hormone levels during their menstrual cycle?
Women with PMS had higher evening aldosterone levels during the early luteal phase compared to women without PMS, and these levels correlated with symptom frequency. Cortisol levels did not differ between the groups.
What they did
A prospective case-control study comparing 49 women with PMS to 50 women without PMS. Saliva samples were collected at three points in the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase (day 8), early luteal phase (day 20), and late luteal phase (2 days before expected bleeding). Both morning and evening samples were taken at each point.
What they found
Salivary aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher in women with PMS during the early luteal phase in the evening (p < .01) compared to controls. Higher aldosterone levels in the early luteal phase positively correlated with the frequency of premenstrual symptoms. Women with PMS showed a flatter morning-to-evening aldosterone slope (p < .05). Morning and evening cortisol levels remained unchanged throughout the menstrual cycle in both groups.
What it means for you
Evening aldosterone may be a biomarker that could help predict or diagnose PMS, as it rises in the early luteal phase in women with PMS. The main limitation is that this is observational rather than an intervention study, so we cannot know whether lowering aldosterone would improve symptoms.
49
women with PMS
50
women without PMS
p < .01
significance of higher evening aldosterone
About the study
- Original title
- Steroid stress hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle: A rise in evening aldosterone concentration in early luteal phase precedes the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Izakova L, Hlavacova N, Jezova D
- Journal
- Journal of neuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 99
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/jne.13043
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2021
Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome?
Randomised trial, 2019
Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD?
Review, 2003
How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
Systematic review, 2026
Can mindfulness, yoga or qigong help with PMS symptoms?
Survey study, 2025
Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?
Cohort study, 2025
Do pain sensitivity and negative thinking explain how trauma and stress cause PMS or PMDD?