Study, 1998
Do women with different patterns of premenstrual symptoms have different cortisol levels?
Women with more severe premenstrual symptoms showed clear differences in cortisol levels during the second half of their cycle. However, cortisol differences were not found during the first half, suggesting the stress hormone changes are connected specifically to when symptoms are worst.
What they did
Researchers monitored three groups of women for three consecutive menstrual cycles. The women were classified into groups based on their symptom patterns: some had low symptoms, some had PMS (symptoms only in the second half), and some had premenstrual magnification (worsening of symptoms they already had in both cycle phases). Symptoms and cortisol levels were measured throughout the cycle.
What they found
The three groups showed clear differences in symptom severity during both the first and second half of the cycle. However, cortisol levels showed significant differences between groups only during the second half of the cycle when PMS symptoms are strongest. The group with the lowest symptoms had different cortisol patterns than both the PMS group and the premenstrual magnification group.
What it means for you
Cortisol, a stress hormone, appears to be involved in turmoil-type premenstrual symptoms, particularly during the luteal phase when symptoms are worst. This suggests the stress system plays a role. However, the study lacked a healthy control group with no symptoms, and the exact number of women was not stated. More research is needed to understand cause and effect.
3
symptom pattern groups
3
menstrual cycles monitored
About the study
- Original title
- Differences in cortisol, a stress hormone, in women with turmoil-type premenstrual symptoms
- Authors
- Cahill CA
- Journal
- Nursing research
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006199-199809000-00007
Topics
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