---
title: Why do women get panic disorder more often than men? | Niyora
description: This review proposes that women with anxiety sensitivity may be more vulnerable to panic disorder because progesterone and its brain chemical allopregnanolone
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/anxiety-sensitivity-the-menstrual-cycle-and-panic-disorder-a-putative-2011/
---

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- Why do women get panic disorder more often than men?

Survey study, 2011

# Why do women get panic disorder more often than men?

This review proposes that women with anxiety sensitivity may be more vulnerable to panic disorder because progesterone and its brain chemical allopregnanolone interact differently during the premenstrual phase. The evidence is preliminary.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable. This is a review of existing literature, not a study of people.

## What they did

This is a review paper, not an original study. The authors reviewed existing human and animal research about anxiety, panic disorder, the menstrual cycle, and hormones progesterone and allopregnanolone to propose a theory about why women develop panic disorder at twice the rate of men.

## What they found

The review presents preliminary evidence that anxiety sensitivity may interact with effects of progesterone and allopregnanolone during the premenstrual phase to trigger or maintain panic symptoms in women. Topics reviewed included psychopathology related to the menstrual cycle, anxiety sensitivity across the cycle, PMS and PMDD, and effects of these hormones on anxiety.

## What it means for you

This is a proposed explanation, not yet proven. It suggests women with anxiety sensitivity may be vulnerable to panic disorder because of how their hormones change during the cycle. The evidence comes from different types of studies in humans and animals, so the theory needs further research.

2:1

female to male ratio in panic disorder

## About the study

Original title Anxiety sensitivity, the menstrual cycle, and panic disorder: a putative neuroendocrine and psychological interaction Authors Nillni YI, Toufexis DJ, Rohan KJ Journal Clinical psychology review Year 2011 Study design Survey study What was tested Not applicable. Literature review only. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.07.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.07.006)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[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

Case-control study, 2025

Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be?

Randomised trial, 2017

Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?

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?

Lab study, 2005

How do changes in brain chemistry during the menstrual cycle affect anxiety and seizures?

Systematic review, 2026

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

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