Review, 1994
Which hormones change across the menstrual cycle?
Body temperature and adrenaline-related chemicals change predictably. Prolactin and serotonin may change around ovulation. Thyroid hormones and cortisol appear stable.
What they did
Reviewed published research on how the menstrual cycle affects hormones and body systems measured in mood disorder studies.
What they found
Body temperature and norepinephrine vary predictably. Prolactin and beta-endorphin may peak around ovulation, and serotonin may reach a low point then. Thyroid hormones (T3, T4), cortisol, and melatonin show no systematic variation. Data on growth hormone, TSH, ACTH, and sleep were inconclusive.
What it means for you
The menstrual cycle affects some hormones but not others. Researchers measuring hormones in mood studies need to consider cycle timing. This is a review of older literature and may need updating.
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of the menstrual cycle on dependent variables in mood disorder research
- Authors
- Leibenluft E, Fiero PL, Rubinow DR
- Journal
- Archives of general psychiatry
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1994.03950100009002
Topics
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