---
title: Does the stress response system work differently in women with PMS across the menstrual cycle?
description: Women with PMS failed to show the normal increased stress hormone response during the luteal phase that women without PMS show. Progesterone, not estrogen, ap
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/differential-menstrual-cycle-regulation-of-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis-2003/
---

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- Does the stress response system work differently in women with PMS across the menstrual cycle?

Study, 2003

# Does the stress response system work differently in women with PMS across the menstrual cycle?

Women with PMS failed to show the normal increased stress hormone response during the luteal phase that women without PMS show. Progesterone, not estrogen, appears to control this stress response.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMS and control women

## What they did

Researchers conducted two studies using treadmill exercise tests to measure the stress hormone response (HPA axis) in women with PMS and control women. They tested the response at different menstrual cycle phases and examined the roles of progesterone and estradiol.

## What they found

Women with PMS failed to show the normal increased stress hormone response to exercise during the luteal phase. In control women, progesterone caused increased stress hormone response to treadmill stress, but estradiol did not. Women with PMS did not show the stress hormone abnormalities typical of major depression.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS may have an abnormal response to progesterone that disrupts their stress response system during the luteal phase. This is different from depression, even though both involve mood changes. The findings suggest PMS involves a specific problem with progesterone response rather than a general mood disorder pattern.

2

studies conducted

## About the study

Original title Differential menstrual cycle regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in women with premenstrual syndrome and controls Authors Roca CA, Schmidt PJ, Altemus M et al. Journal The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Year 2003 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021570](https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021570)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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## Related studies

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Are hormone problems the cause of PMS?

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What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

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Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

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