---
title: Which hormones cause premenstrual pain? | Niyora
description: Higher levels of vasopressin (a hormone that makes the uterus contract) may cause premenstrual pain. Severe period pain may result from both vasopressin and p
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/vasopressin-and-prostaglandins-in-premenstrual-pain-and-primary-dysmenorrhea-1984/
---

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- Which hormones cause premenstrual pain?

Survey study, 1984

# Which hormones cause premenstrual pain?

Higher levels of vasopressin (a hormone that makes the uterus contract) may cause premenstrual pain. Severe period pain may result from both vasopressin and prostaglandins working together.

 Early or limited evidence

5 women with premenstrual pain, 5 with severe period pain, 10 without pain

## What they did

Measured two hormones in blood samples taken before and during menstruation. Five women with premenstrual pain gave 7-9 blood samples on the day before their period started, with samples taken 30 minutes apart. Five women with severe period pain gave samples on their first day of bleeding. Two control groups of 5 women with no pain provided comparison samples.

## What they found

Women with premenstrual pain had significantly higher vasopressin than the control group. Women with severe period pain had even higher and more fluctuating vasopressin levels. Women with severe period pain also had a significant rise in prostaglandin metabolites in the blood. The premenstrual pain group did not show increased prostaglandins.

## What it means for you

Increased vasopressin appears to play a role in premenstrual pain. The combination of both vasopressin and prostaglandins may explain more severe period pain. The sample was extremely small (only 5 women in each group), so findings need confirmation in larger studies.

5

Women per group

7-9

Blood samples per woman

30 minutes

Time between samples

## About the study

Original title Vasopressin and prostaglandins in premenstrual pain and primary dysmenorrhea Authors Strömberg P, Akerlund M, Forsling ML et al. Journal Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica Year 1984 Study design Survey study Participants 5 What was tested None; observational study Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/00016348409156715](https://doi.org/10.3109/00016348409156715)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

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