---
title: Do women with PMDD have heightened pain sensitivity related to stress?
description: Yes, women with menstrually-related mood disorder have more sensitive pain-sensing systems. A stress-blocking drug (propranolol) reduced emotional aspects of
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/beta-adrenergic-receptor-mechanisms-and-pain-sensitivity-in-women-with-2013/
---

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- Do women with PMDD have heightened pain sensitivity related to stress?

Randomised trial, 2013

# Do women with PMDD have heightened pain sensitivity related to stress?

Yes, women with menstrually-related mood disorder have more sensitive pain-sensing systems. A stress-blocking drug (propranolol) reduced emotional aspects of pain in these women but worked differently than in healthy controls.

 Moderate study design

61 women with menstrually-related mood disorder and 61 healthy controls

## What they did

61 women with menstrually-related mood disorder and 61 healthy controls were tested during the luteal phase for stress hormone responsiveness. A subset of 43 women with mood disorder and 50 controls received propranolol or placebo through IV and underwent pain tests using cold water, lack of blood flow to the arm, and questionnaires.

## What they found

Women with menstrually-related mood disorder had stronger stress hormone responses, more pain intensity, and higher emotional pain ratings. Propranolol increased pain tolerance in both groups. It reduced cold and ischemic pain only in controls, but reduced emotional pain ratings in women with mood disorder. Greater stress response predicted greater pain sensitivity in mood disorder women.

## What it means for you

Women with severe PMS/PMDD may have overactive pain systems controlled by stress hormones, explaining why they experience more pain. Beta-blockers might help emotional pain in these women. This explains mechanisms but is not yet a treatment recommendation. Sample sizes were modest.

61

women with menstrually-related mood disorder

61

healthy controls

43

MRMD women completing pain testing

## About the study

Original title Beta-adrenergic receptor mechanisms and pain sensitivity in women with menstrually related mood disorders Authors Bunevicius A, Hinderliter A, Klatzkin R et al. Journal The journal of pain Year 2013 Study design Randomised trial Participants 61 What was tested Propranolol (beta-blocker) given intravenously Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2013.05.014](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2013.05.014)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

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