---
title: What role does serotonin play in dysphoric PMS? | Niyora
description: Evidence suggests serotonin activity may be altered in dysphoric PMS, particularly in the late-luteal phase, and female sex hormones may influence serotonin.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/altered-serotonergic-activity-in-women-with-dysphoric-premenstrual-syndromes-1993/
---

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- What role does serotonin play in dysphoric PMS?

Interview study, 1993

# What role does serotonin play in dysphoric PMS?

Evidence suggests serotonin activity may be altered in dysphoric PMS, particularly in the late-luteal phase, and female sex hormones may influence serotonin. More research is needed.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature on dysphoric PMS and serotonin

## What they did

Literature review of over 170 articles examining the relationship between serotonin activity and dysphoric PMS, with focus on changes in serotonin across the menstrual cycle and effects of hormone treatments.

## What they found

Post-synaptic serotonergic responsivity may be altered during the late-luteal-premenstrual phase in women with PMS. Some serotonergic functions might be altered throughout the entire cycle as a vulnerability trait. Gonadal hormones may change serotonin system activity. Treatment studies with serotonin-enhancing drugs support serotonin's involvement in PMS pathophysiology.

## What it means for you

Serotonin appears involved in dysphoric PMS, which may explain why SSRI antidepressants help some women with severe PMS. Female hormones may control serotonin function. This is a literature review that synthesizes existing research rather than providing new evidence.

170+

articles reviewed on serotonin and PMS

## About the study

Original title Altered serotonergic activity in women with dysphoric premenstrual syndromes Authors Halbreich U, Tworek H Journal International journal of psychiatry in medicine Year 1993 Study design Interview study What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.2190/j2w0-rtgd-nykk-ff77](https://doi.org/10.2190/j2w0-rtgd-nykk-ff77)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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## Related studies

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Systematic review, 2022

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