Case-control study, 1986
Is cortisol response different in women with PMS compared to women without PMS?
Women with PMS showed the same cortisol response as women without PMS during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Control subjects tested once showed higher cortisol in the middle weeks of the cycle, but we do not know if women with PMS follow this pattern.
What they did
Researchers tested how cortisol responded to dexamethasone (a hormone test) in women with PMS and control women during two different phases of the menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal).
What they found
There were no significant differences in cortisol response between women with PMS and control women in either menstrual phase. Control subjects showed higher cortisol levels in the middle 2 weeks of the menstrual cycle compared with the first and last weeks.
What it means for you
The study suggests cortisol may vary normally throughout the menstrual cycle, possibly from estrogen effects. However, the research does not tell us whether women with PMS have abnormal patterns. The researchers suggest testing cortisol weekly in women with PMS to determine if they show this normal cyclic pattern or if it is absent.
2
menstrual cycle phases tested
2 weeks
middle of cycle with higher cortisol
About the study
- Original title
- Cortisol response to dexamethasone in women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Roy-Byrne PP, Rubinow DR, Gwirtsman H et al.
- Journal
- Neuropsychobiology
- Year
- 1986
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- Dexamethasone test
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000118298
Topics
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