Case-control study, 2019
Do women with PMDD respond differently to stress?
Yes, women with PMDD reported higher daily stress and negative mood in response to stressors in the late luteal phase, and showed different stress hormone patterns. The observation period was short, so results need confirmation.
What they did
61 women with PMDD and 61 matched controls reported their stress and mood 8 times a day via smartphone over 2 consecutive days in each of 4 menstrual cycle phases. They also collected saliva samples to measure cortisol (stress hormone) and morning cortisol awakening response.
What they found
Women with PMDD reported high daily stress and high negative mood in response to stressors in the late luteal phase. High stress was linked to lower positive mood and higher rumination in PMDD women more than in controls. Women with PMDD showed a delayed cortisol awakening response and a flattened daily cortisol rhythm. Neither group showed direct cortisol response to daily stress, but high negative mood predicted higher cortisol in both groups, while high rumination predicted cortisol only in healthy women.
What it means for you
Women with PMDD experience heightened stress reactivity and have altered stress hormone patterns that could be targeted with treatment. The study only looked at 2 days per cycle phase, which is a limitation. No interventions were tested to improve outcomes.
61
women with PMDD
61
matched healthy women
8
daily assessments per day
About the study
- Original title
- Stress, mood, and cortisol during daily life in women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Authors
- Beddig T, Reinhard I, Kuehner C
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 61
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104372
Topics
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