---
title: Does a progesterone metabolite called allopregnanolone cause mood problems in PMDD?
description: In some women with PMDD, the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone is linked to negative mood during the luteal phase, despite being expected to be calming
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/gabaa-receptor-modulating-steroids-in-relation-to-women-s-behavioral-health-2015/
---

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- Does a progesterone metabolite called allopregnanolone cause mood problems in PMDD?

Review, 2015

# Does a progesterone metabolite called allopregnanolone cause mood problems in PMDD?

In some women with PMDD, the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone is linked to negative mood during the luteal phase, despite being expected to be calming. A preliminary clinical trial of a blocking agent called isoallopregnanolone showed good effects in treating PMDD symptoms.

 Moderate study design

Research review on women with PMDD and allopregnanolone

## What they did

A review of research on allopregnanolone, a metabolite of progesterone that affects GABA receptors in the brain. The review examined how allopregnanolone levels relate to mood changes in women with PMDD and discussed a preliminary clinical trial testing an antagonist to allopregnanolone.

## What they found

In women with PMDD, increased negative mood relates to allopregnanolone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. This is paradoxical because GABA receptor modulators are expected to have calming and anxiety-reducing effects. The severity of mood symptoms follows an inverted U-shaped curve with allopregnanolone at endogenous luteal-phase levels. Isoallopregnanolone, an antagonist to allopregnanolone, was used in a preliminary clinical trial and showed good effects in ameliorating PMDD symptoms.

## What it means for you

Allopregnanolone may play a role in mood changes in PMDD through an unexpected mechanism. Blocking this hormone might help some women with PMDD. The main limitation is that this review discusses only preliminary evidence and a preliminary clinical trial, with no final results or effectiveness data presented.

## About the study

Original title GABAA Receptor-Modulating Steroids in Relation to Women's Behavioral Health Authors Bäckström T, Bixo M, Strömberg J Journal Current psychiatry reports Year 2015 Study design Review What was tested Isoallopregnanolone antagonist (preliminary trial only) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0627-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0627-4)

## Topics

[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/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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