---
title: Do women with PMDD respond differently to estrogen? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women with PMDD showed a different response to an estrogen injection, with stronger hormone surges linked to bloating and irritability.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/differential-response-to-estrogen-challenge-test-in-women-with-and-without-2006/
---

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- Do women with PMDD respond differently to estrogen?

Non-randomised trial, 2006

# Do women with PMDD respond differently to estrogen?

Yes. Women with PMDD showed a different response to an estrogen injection, with stronger hormone surges linked to bloating and irritability.

 Early or limited evidence

13 women with PMDD and 12 healthy women

## What they did

Researchers gave an estrogen injection to 13 women with PMDD and 12 healthy women early in their cycle. They drew blood multiple times over the next 6 days to measure hormone levels.

## What they found

Both groups had similar estrogen and FSH responses, but women with PMDD had higher LH (another hormone) responses, including more surge-like reactions and levels 50% higher overall. The strength of the LH response was linked to bloating, and hormone patterns were connected to irritability and depressed mood.

## What it means for you

Women with PMDD may have bodies that overreact to the estrogen changes that happen every month. This could explain why their symptoms are more severe. The study was very small, so the findings need to be tested in more women.

13

women with PMDD

12

healthy women

50%

higher LH response in PMDD

## About the study

Original title Differential response to estrogen challenge test in women with and without premenstrual dysphoria Authors Eriksson O, Bäckström T, Stridsberg M et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2006 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 13 What was tested Estradiol benzoate injection (0.04 mg/kg) given early in menstrual cycle Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.10.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.10.004)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

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