Lab study, 2008
Does progesterone withdrawal affect anxiety in female brains?
When progesterone levels drop, specific changes happen in a brain region involved in anxiety. This research is in rats, not humans, so we do not know if the findings apply to women.
What they did
They examined female rats' brains at different cycle phases, focusing on what happens when progesterone drops. They studied a brain region involved in anxiety.
What they found
When progesterone levels dropped, there were increased numbers of certain anxiety-related receptors in the brain. The brain became more sensitive to anxiety-triggering chemicals. These changes happened more in rats housed in normal conditions than in rats in quiet, isolated rooms.
What it means for you
Drops in progesterone during the cycle may trigger anxiety changes in the brain, which could relate to how some women feel before their period. The main limitation is that this was tested in rats, not humans, and environment seems to affect the changes.
About the study
- Original title
- GABA in the female brain -- oestrous cycle-related changes in GABAergic function in the periaqueductal grey matter
- Authors
- Lovick TA
- Journal
- Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Lab study
- What was tested
- None; observation of natural cycle changes in rats.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2007.12.014
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2017
Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?
Case-control study, 2025
Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be?
Randomised trial, 2023
Does a smartphone app for heart rate variability biofeedback reduce premenstrual and depressive symptoms?
Survey study, 2014
Does allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, cause mood problems in PMDD?
Lab study, 2013
Could antidepressants help prevent PMS by keeping brain chemicals stable?
Survey study, 2011
Why do women get panic disorder more often than men?