Study, 1989
Does the way the body handles tryptophan change in PMS?
Yes, but only at one point in the cycle. In women with PMS, taking tryptophan made blood serotonin drop just before the period, while at every other time in these women, and at all times in women without PMS, it rose instead.
What they did
Women with PMS and a group of women without PMS were given a drink of tryptophan to swallow. Researchers measured the serotonin level in their whole blood before and after this, testing at different points across the menstrual cycle.
What they found
In women without PMS, the tryptophan drink raised blood serotonin every time it was tested. In women with PMS, it also raised blood serotonin during the phase right after a period and in the middle of the second half of the cycle. But in the late part of the second half of the cycle, just before the period, blood serotonin fell instead of rising in the women with PMS.
What it means for you
This points to a change in how the body turns tryptophan into serotonin just before the period in women with PMS, which could be linked to mood symptoms at that time. The study did not state how many women took part or give exact measurement numbers, so it is hard to know how strong or reliable this effect is.
About the study
- Original title
- Tryptophan loading test in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Andrea J. Rapkin, LawranceK Chung, Anthony E. Reading et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- A tryptophan drink taken by mouth, tested at different points in the menstrual cycle.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01443618909151136