---
title: Is there a blood cell marker linked to PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Possibly, but we cannot be confident. A small pilot study found a link between a cell transport mechanism and premenstrual symptom severity in the week before
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-pilot-study-of-erythrocyte-lithium-sodium-countertransport-in-women-during-the-1994/
---

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- Is there a blood cell marker linked to PMS symptoms?

Non-randomised trial, 1994

# Is there a blood cell marker linked to PMS symptoms?

Possibly, but we cannot be confident. A small pilot study found a link between a cell transport mechanism and premenstrual symptom severity in the week before the period, but the groups were too small to confirm this.

 Early or limited evidence

10 women with normal menstrual cycles and 8 women on oral contraceptives

## What they did

This pilot study measured a cell transport mechanism (lithium-sodium countertransport) in blood cells from 10 women with normal menstrual cycles and 8 women on oral contraceptives at different phases of their cycles. Women reported how severe their PMS symptoms were.

## What they found

A correlation (p < 0.02) was found between the transport rate and premenstrual symptom severity, but only in the premenstrual phase. No correlation was found in other phases. Premenstrual symptoms were absent in women taking oral contraceptives. The groups were too small to show all differences were statistically significant.

## What it means for you

This cell marker might be involved in PMS, but the study is a very small pilot. Much larger studies over multiple cycles are needed to know if this matters. The finding that oral contraceptives eliminate PMS is notable. This is only preliminary.

10

women with normal menstrual cycles

8

women on oral contraceptives

p < 0.02

correlation with symptoms in premenstrual phase

## About the study

Original title A pilot study of erythrocyte lithium-sodium countertransport in women during the menstrual cycle Authors Padgham C, Hinton JM, Birch NJ Journal Journal of the American College of Nutrition Year 1994 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested None - measurement and observation Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1994.10718437](https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1994.10718437)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/)

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.

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