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Survey study, 2016

Are women with PMS different in their hormones and metabolism?

Yes. Women with PMS had higher prolactin and triglycerides, and lower testosterone and HDL cholesterol than women without PMS. Higher PMS scores were associated with increased metabolic syndrome risk, though we cannot tell whether these differences cause PMS or result from it.

Early or limited evidence 354 women with PMS and 302 without, reproductive age, Iranian

What they did

A cross-sectional study comparing 354 women with PMS and 302 women without PMS, selected from 1126 total. Researchers measured body measurements, hormone levels, cholesterol, and metabolic markers in both groups.

What they found

Women with PMS had significantly higher prolactin and triglycerides, and significantly lower testosterone, HDL, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. For every one-unit increase in PMS score, the probability of having metabolic syndrome increased by 12%.

What it means for you

Certain hormone and cholesterol abnormalities may occur alongside PMS, and higher PMS severity is linked to metabolic syndrome. The study was limited to Iranian women, so results may not apply everywhere.

12%

Increase in metabolic syndrome risk per 1-unit PMS score increase

354

Women with PMS

302

Women without PMS

About the study

Original title
Comparison of Metabolic and Hormonal Profiles of Women With and Without Premenstrual Syndrome: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors
Hashemi S, Ramezani Tehrani F, Mohammadi N et al.
Journal
International journal of endocrinology and metabolism
Year
2016
Study design
Survey study
Participants
1,126
What was tested
None (observational study)
Open access
Yes

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