---
title: Are reward and punishment sensitivity different in women with PMDD and related to hormone levels?
description: Yes. Women with PMDD show heightened reward sensitivity and increased sensitivity to negative stimuli during the premenstrual phase, which are related to prog
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/gonadotrophic-hormone-and-reinforcement-sensitivity-systems-in-women-with-2014/
---

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- Are reward and punishment sensitivity different in women with PMDD and related to hormone levels?

Case-control study, 2014

# Are reward and punishment sensitivity different in women with PMDD and related to hormone levels?

Yes. Women with PMDD show heightened reward sensitivity and increased sensitivity to negative stimuli during the premenstrual phase, which are related to progesterone levels.

 Moderate study design

67 women with PMDD and 75 healthy controls from the community

## What they did

Case-control study of 67 women with PMDD and 75 healthy controls. They measured reward and punishment sensitivity using the BIS/BAS scale and measured hormone levels during both premenstrual and follicular phases.

## What they found

Reward-seeking (BAS) scores were higher in PMDD women in both phases. Progesterone levels negatively correlated with fun-seeking in PMDD women. In the premenstrual phase, PMDD women had higher sensitivity-to-punishment (BIS) scores that correlated with depression, anxiety, and hostility.

## What it means for you

Women with PMDD appear more sensitive to rewards and punishments, which worsens with hormone changes. Understanding these sensitivity patterns may help explain mood symptoms.

67

women with PMDD

75

healthy controls

## About the study

Original title Gonadotrophic hormone and reinforcement sensitivity systems in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Ko CH, Long CY, Yen CF et al. Journal Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences Year 2014 Study design Case-control study Participants 67 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12189](https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12189)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)

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