---
title: Does premenstrual dysphoric disorder affect how the heart's nervous system regulates itself?
description: Women with PMDD showed reduced activity in the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the heart. The difference from women without PMDD was most clear during the n
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/heart-rate-variability-in-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2004/
---

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- Does premenstrual dysphoric disorder affect how the heart's nervous system regulates itself?

Non-randomised trial, 2004

# Does premenstrual dysphoric disorder affect how the heart's nervous system regulates itself?

Women with PMDD showed reduced activity in the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the heart. The difference from women without PMDD was most clear during the non-symptom phase of the cycle.

 Early or limited evidence

28 women with PMDD and 11 controls without PMDD

## What they did

Researchers measured heart rate variability in 28 women with PMDD and 11 controls during both the luteal phase (when PMDD symptoms occur) and follicular phase (symptom-free phase) of the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Measures of vagal nerve activity (rMSSD and SDNN) were significantly lower in women with PMDD compared to controls during the follicular phase. High frequency heart rate variability was also lower in women with PMDD during the follicular phase.

## What it means for you

PMDD may involve reduced activity in the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the heart and calm stress responses. Main limitation: the small sample size (28 women with PMDD).

28

women with PMDD

11

controls without PMDD

2

menstrual cycle phases measured

## About the study

Original title Heart rate variability in premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Landén M, Wennerblom B, Tygesen H et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2004 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 28 What was tested None; this was an observational study measuring heart function Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(03)00117-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(03)00117-3)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

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## Related studies

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Cohort study, 2012

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Guideline, 2006

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