---
title: Is PMS caused by imbalance in brain opioid activity? | Niyora
description: This study did not find evidence for this theory. Brain opioid response was similar in women with PMS and women without PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-naloxone-on-luteinizing-hormone-secretion-in-premenstrual-syndrome-1994/
---

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- Is PMS caused by imbalance in brain opioid activity?

Non-randomised trial, 1994

# Is PMS caused by imbalance in brain opioid activity?

This study did not find evidence for this theory. Brain opioid response was similar in women with PMS and women without PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

Women ages 20-45 with PMS showing 30% or greater symptom increase in luteal phase

## What they did

Prospective study testing whether PMS involves problems with the body's natural pain-relieving opioid chemicals. Researchers gave women with PMS and controls naloxone (a drug that blocks opioids) at five different times across the menstrual cycle and measured luteinizing hormone response.

## What they found

All women had similar luteinizing hormone response to hormone-releasing hormone testing. When naloxone was given, there were no significant differences in response between PMS women and controls on any of the five test days.

## What it means for you

This particular theory of what causes PMS was not supported by the study. However, this does not rule out other biological causes of PMS. The main limit is the very small sample size.

5

naloxone infusions per subject

30%

symptom increase threshold for PMS

4

hours of naloxone infusion

## About the study

Original title Effect of naloxone on luteinizing hormone secretion in premenstrual syndrome Authors Chuong CJ, Hsi BP Journal Fertility and sterility Year 1994 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 5 What was tested Naloxone infusion 2 mg per hour for 4 hours at five times across the cycle Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56753-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56753-3)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)

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