--- title: Are testosterone and prolactin levels different in women with PMDD? description: Yes. Women with PMDD and high depression scores had lower levels of a protein called β-Arrestin1 alongside higher testosterone and prolactin levels in their b url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/testosterone-and-prolactin-perturbations-possibly-associated-with-reduced-levels-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are testosterone and prolactin levels different in women with PMDD? Study, 2023 # Are testosterone and prolactin levels different in women with PMDD? Yes. Women with PMDD and high depression scores had lower levels of a protein called β-Arrestin1 alongside higher testosterone and prolactin levels in their blood. Early or limited evidence 25 non-pregnant women aged 18-42 not on antidepressants ## What they did 25 non-pregnant women aged 18-42 who were not on antidepressants were studied during the late luteal phase (the week before the period). Blood tests measured a protein called β-Arrestin1 in white blood cells and testosterone and prolactin levels. Researchers looked at whether these hormones related to depression severity. ## What they found Women with depression scores above 19 had lower β-Arrestin1 protein levels and higher testosterone and prolactin levels in their blood. ## What it means for you The findings suggest that changes in testosterone and prolactin during the luteal phase might affect a protein involved in PMDD and depression. Understanding this could help find new drug targets for PMDD treatment. The study is very small and looked at only one time point in the cycle. 25 women studied 18-42 age range 19 depression score cutoff ## About the study Original title Testosterone and Prolactin Perturbations Possibly Associated with Reduced Levels of β-Arrestin1 in Mononuclear Leukocytes of Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Authors Nayyar S, Archibong A, Nayyar T Journal International journal of molecular sciences Year 2023 Study design Study Participants 25 What was tested None - hormonal measurement Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015449](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015449) Original abstract Previously, we reported that a reduction in β-Arrestin1 protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMC) significantly correlated with the severity of depression symptoms in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This study aimed to determine whether the reduced premenstrual β-Arrestin1 protein levels were associated with changes in the regulator for late luteal phase progesterone secretion. The study participants ( n = 25) were non-pregnant women between 18 and 42 years of age not taking any antidepressants or receiving therapy and experiencing the luteal phase of menstruation. ELISA determined the β-Arrestin1 protein in PBMC; testosterone and prolactin levels from the plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Reduced levels of β-Arrestin1 protein in women with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores above 19 were observed alongside significantly higher plasma testosterone and prolactin concentrations. Understanding the mechanism underlying the initiation of PMDD will allow for identification of a key perturbed metabolic enzyme that can serve as a target for drug development to ensure the alleviation of PMDD, which has been suggested earlier as a risk factor for developing major depressive disorders. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function? Study, 2026 Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition? Study, 2026 What treatments work for PMDD? Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Cohort study, 2012 How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms? Review, 2012 Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗