Case-control study, 2004
Do women with PMDD who experienced sexual abuse have different thyroid hormone levels?
Yes. Women with PMDD and sexual abuse history had abnormal thyroid hormone patterns, including higher T3 levels, compared to other groups.
What they did
Case-control study comparing three groups: 10 women with sexual abuse history and PMDD, 18 women without abuse history but with PMDD, and 22 women without PMDD. Researchers measured thyroid hormone levels during follicular and luteal phases of confirmed ovulatory cycles.
What they found
Women with PMDD and sexual abuse history showed greater variance in thyroid-stimulating hormone in both cycle phases and greater luteal phase variance in T4 and reverse T3. They also had higher mean total T3 levels. Higher total T3 concentrations and major depression history independently predicted premenstrual anxiety, anger, and depression, together accounting for 31% to 38% of the variance in these symptoms across all women with PMDD.
What it means for you
Women with PMDD who have experienced sexual abuse may have altered thyroid hormone metabolism that could contribute to their symptoms. This suggests trauma, thyroid function, and PMDD may be connected. The findings are limited by small sample size.
10
Women with sexual abuse and PMDD
31-38%
Variance in PMDD symptoms explained by T3 and depression
About the study
- Original title
- Historical sexual abuse and current thyroid axis profiles in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Girdler SS, Thompson KS, Light KC et al.
- Journal
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 22
- What was tested
- None (observational study examining sexual abuse history)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000127690.38525.ab
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