---
title: How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?
description: Probably yes. Brain hormones that change during the menstrual cycle may trigger mood problems in PMDD by working similarly to anti-anxiety drugs. PMDD affects
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/action-by-and-sensitivity-to-neuroactive-steroids-in-menstrual-cycle-related-cns-2006/
---

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- How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2006

# How do brain hormones affect PMDD and mood problems during the menstrual cycle?

Probably yes. Brain hormones that change during the menstrual cycle may trigger mood problems in PMDD by working similarly to anti-anxiety drugs. PMDD affects 2-6% of reproductive women.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMDD and menopause-related mood problems (review article)

## What they did

Review of research on how brain hormones (neuroactive steroids) affect mood disorders linked to the menstrual cycle, particularly PMDD.

## What they found

Brain hormones like allopregnanolone work on the brain's GABA system in a way similar to benzodiazepines and alcohol. These brain hormones may have similar beneficial effects to anxiety drugs but also potentially similar side effects. PMDD is a cluster of mood symptoms occurring in the luteal phase (second half) of the menstrual cycle.

## What it means for you

Brain hormone changes during the cycle may explain why some women get severe mood problems with PMDD. This is a review of existing research, not new discoveries. Researchers are studying these hormones as potential targets for treatment.

2-6%

Reproductive women with PMDD

## About the study

Original title Action by and sensitivity to neuroactive steroids in menstrual cycle related CNS disorders Authors N-Wihlbäck AC, Sundström-Poromaa I, Bäckström T Journal Psychopharmacology Year 2006 Study design Review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0185-2](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0185-2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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.

## Related studies

Survey study, 2014

Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD?

Survey study, 2009

Why do some women feel depressed or anxious when progesterone increases before their period?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

Survey study, 2023

Could treatments that affect the brain's GABA system help PMDD?

Study, 2022

Why do women get PMS and PMDD?

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