Survey study, 2008
Does low progesterone cause PMS?
No. Research by Professor Dennerstein showed that low progesterone does not cause PMS, even though hormones affect mood and behavior across the menstrual cycle.
What they did
Review of published research on how reproductive hormones relate to behavior across the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Studies by Professor Dennerstein showed that hormones affect psychological symptoms and behavior across the menstrual cycle. Her research definitively refuted the theory that low progesterone causes PMS. Sexual behavior shows a cyclic pattern but does not clearly relate to measured hormone levels.
What it means for you
Although hormones change across the menstrual cycle, low progesterone alone does not explain PMS. The relationship between hormones and mood is complex. This is a review summarizing past research, not new findings.
About the study
- Original title
- The endocrinology of the reproductive years
- Authors
- Randolph JF Jr
- Journal
- The journal of sexual medicine
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None, review article
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00919.x
Topics
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