---
title: Does allopregnanolone, a hormone made from progesterone, affect premenstrual mood?
description: Growing evidence suggests allopregnanolone may influence mood during the premenstrual phase and other reproductive times, but exactly how it works is not yet
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/allopregnanolone-and-reproductive-psychiatry-an-overview-2019/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Does allopregnanolone, a hormone made from progesterone, affect premenstrual mood?

Survey study, 2019

# Does allopregnanolone, a hormone made from progesterone, affect premenstrual mood?

Growing evidence suggests allopregnanolone may influence mood during the premenstrual phase and other reproductive times, but exactly how it works is not yet clear.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of research across multiple studies and reproductive stages

## What they did

Reviewed recent research on allopregnanolone's role in mood across reproductive transitions: at the start of periods, during the menstrual cycle, around childbirth, and at menopause.

## What they found

Signs of dysregulated allopregnanolone were found at all reproductive transitions and were linked to mood symptoms. However, the exact relationship, how it connects to other systems, and whether hormone changes cause mood changes or the reverse remain unclear.

## What it means for you

Allopregnanolone may help explain why some women experience mood changes in the premenstrual phase, but much more research is needed. The connection may work differently for different women, and current evidence is not yet consistent.

## About the study

Original title Allopregnanolone and reproductive psychiatry: an overview Authors McEvoy K, Osborne LM Journal International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) Year 2019 Study design Survey study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1553775](https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1553775)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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

Systematic review, 2026

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

Study, 2025

Can blood markers that predict depression after childbirth also predict PMDD?

Survey study, 2022

What are the biggest research gaps in women's health, especially for menstrual conditions?

Review, 2002

What are the reproductive-related mood disorders and how are they connected?

Cohort study, 2026

Can one questionnaire help doctors tell the difference between PMS, PMDD, and other mood disorders?

Survey study, 2026

Does PMS affect how well young women sleep?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗