Case-control study, 2007
Does serotonin function change differently in PMDD versus PMS versus healthy women?
Women with PMDD show unusually high serotonin function in the follicular phase but low function in the luteal phase, different from women with PMS and healthy women. This suggests PMDD involves an unstable serotonin system.
What they did
24 women (7 with PMDD, 8 with PMS without PMDD, 9 healthy controls) were given paroxetine 20 mg orally on three separate occasions across their menstrual cycle: in the follicular phase, early luteal phase, and late luteal phase. Blood tests measuring ACTH and cortisol were taken before and every hour for 6 hours after the medication.
What they found
Women with PMDD showed significantly different patterns of serotonin function across the menstrual cycle compared to the other two groups. They had higher serotonin function in the follicular phase but lower function in the luteal phase.
What it means for you
PMDD appears to involve an unstable serotonin system that fluctuates across the menstrual cycle differently than in regular PMS or healthy cycles. This could explain why PMDD has more severe mood symptoms. The study is very small, so findings need confirmation.
7
Women with PMDD
8
Women with PMS without PMDD
20 mg
Paroxetine dose
About the study
- Original title
- Fluctuating serotonergic function in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome: findings from neuroendocrine challenge tests
- Authors
- Inoue Y, Terao T, Iwata N et al.
- Journal
- Psychopharmacology
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- Paroxetine 20 mg as a test of serotonin function
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0607-9
Topics
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