Case-control study, 1981
Are hormone levels different in women with PMS than in women without?
Yes. Women with PMS had significantly lower progesterone in the week before their period and higher estradiol in the last four days of the cycle. Aldosterone levels were the same.
What they did
Measured blood hormone levels in 20 women with PMS and 10 women without PMS at different points in their cycle using a method called radioimmunoassay.
What they found
Pooled progesterone from days 9 to 5 before the period was significantly lower in PMS women than controls (P less than 0.05). Estradiol was higher in PMS women over the last 4 days of the cycle (P less than 0.01). Aldosterone showed no significant difference.
What it means for you
Low progesterone and high estradiol may play a role in PMS, but this was a small study from 1981. We cannot be certain that these hormone differences cause PMS symptoms or whether all women with PMS have the same pattern.
20
women with PMS
10
women without PMS
P<0.01
estradiol difference (last 4 days)
About the study
- Original title
- Correlations between progesterone, oestradiol and aldosterone levels in the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Munday MR, Brush MG, Taylor RW
- Journal
- Clinical endocrinology
- Year
- 1981
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.1981.tb00359.x