Case-control study, 1994
Is the stress hormone system different in women with severe PMS?
Yes. Women with severe PMS have altered control of their stress hormone system, with cortisol responding differently to hormonal stimuli, suggesting reduced opioid receptor sensitivity.
What they did
Case-control study comparing 28 women with severe PMS and 14 women without symptoms. During the mid- to late-luteal phase, researchers measured how cortisol responded to two hormonal challenges: naloxone and CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).
What they found
In women without PMS, naloxone stimulated significant cortisol release, but in women with PMS this response was almost absent. CRH stimulated greater cortisol release in PMS patients than controls. These differences were the same whether or not PMS patients had psychiatric disorders or menstrual migraine. The findings suggest endogenous opioids modulate the stress hormone system differently in severe PMS patients, possibly due to reduced opioid receptor sensitivity.
What it means for you
Women with severe PMS may have a biological difference in how their body controls stress hormones through the opioid system. This could help explain some symptoms, though we do not know if this is a cause or effect of PMS. Main limitation: small sample size of 28 patients.
28
women with severe PMS
14
women without symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Changes of opioid modulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with severe premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Facchinetti F, Fioroni L, Martignoni E et al.
- Journal
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 28
- What was tested
- None - observational hormonal testing
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006842-199409000-00006
Topics
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