Interview study, 2015
Does childhood sexual abuse affect hormone levels and premenstrual symptoms?
Women with menstrually-related mood disorders who experienced childhood sexual abuse had higher oxytocin levels than those without this history. In women with abuse history, higher oxytocin was linked with fewer premenstrual symptoms.
What they did
Studied 60 women with menstrually-related mood disorders: 20 with early childhood sexual abuse history and 40 without. Measured oxytocin levels in the blood and assessed premenstrual psychological and physical symptoms.
What they found
Women with early childhood sexual abuse had higher oxytocin levels (5.39 pg/mL compared to 4.36 pg/mL in women without this history). In women with abuse history, higher oxytocin was linked with fewer premenstrual psychological and physical symptoms. This link was not seen in women without the abuse history.
What it means for you
This suggests childhood sexual abuse may change how the hormone oxytocin works in women with menstrually-related mood disorders. In affected women, higher oxytocin may help reduce premenstrual symptoms. The study is small and only includes women who already have menstrually-related mood disorders, so findings may not apply to all women with PMS.
60
women studied
5.39 pg/mL
oxytocin level with abuse history
4.36 pg/mL
oxytocin level without abuse history
About the study
- Original title
- The influence of early life sexual abuse on oxytocin concentrations and premenstrual symptomatology in women with a menstrually related mood disorder
- Authors
- Crowley SK, Pedersen CA, Leserman J et al.
- Journal
- Biological psychology
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Interview study
- Participants
- 40
- What was tested
- Observational comparison by early sexual abuse history
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.04.003
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2025
Do pain sensitivity and negative thinking explain how trauma and stress cause PMS or PMDD?
Case-control study, 2014
Does past abuse affect pain sensitivity differently in women with menstrual mood disorders?
Cohort study, 2021
Are low antioxidant vitamins or high oxidative stress linked to premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2025
Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls?
Case-control study, 2013
Are stress hormones different in women with PMDD?
Study, 1976
Do mood and body changes happen at the same time in the menstrual cycle?