Study, 1990
Do women with PMS have lower levels of beta-endorphin?
Yes. Women with PMS had a significantly greater drop in beta-endorphin levels compared to women without PMS. The other hormones and transmitters tested showed no clear differences.
What they did
Researchers compared 22 women with PMS to 22 women without PMS. They measured levels of seven different substances in the blood on two days: the first day after menstruation and the twentieth day after menstruation.
What they found
Women with PMS exhibited a significantly greater drop in beta-endorphin between the two measurement days compared to controls. The other hormones and transmitters tested (ACTH, FSH, LH, cortisol, prolactin, and TRH) showed no significant differences between groups. The researchers suggest that PMS symptoms may result from a rebound reaction in the nervous system following the drop in beta-endorphin.
What it means for you
The drop in beta-endorphin, a natural painkiller and mood regulator in the body, might explain why some women develop PMS and experience pain and mood symptoms. However, the other hormones didn't show clear differences, suggesting the full picture is more complex than one hormone alone. The study measured hormones at only two points in the cycle.
22
women with PMS
22
women without PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Beta-endorphin decline in late luteal phase dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Giannini AJ, Martin DM, Turner CE
- Journal
- International journal of psychiatry in medicine
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2190/jrqj-xtx9-cqpf-hd70
Topics
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