--- title: Does a history of sexual abuse change how women with PMDD respond to the drug clonidine? description: In this very small study, yes: women with PMDD who had been sexually abused showed different heart rate, blood pressure and stress-hormone responses to clonid url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/histories-of-sexual-abuse-are-associated-with-differential-effects-of-clonidine-2005/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does a history of sexual abuse change how women with PMDD respond to the drug clonidine? Randomised trial, 2005 # Does a history of sexual abuse change how women with PMDD respond to the drug clonidine? In this very small study, yes: women with PMDD who had been sexually abused showed different heart rate, blood pressure and stress-hormone responses to clonidine than those without that history, though the sample was too small to be confident. Early or limited evidence 12 women with PMDD, 5 of whom had a history of sexual abuse. ## What they did 12 women with confirmed PMDD (5 with a history of sexual abuse) took part in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial: 2 months on oral clonidine (0.3 mg/day) and 2 months on placebo. Researchers measured heart rate and blood pressure at rest and under mental stress, plus blood norepinephrine levels and receptor responses. ## What they found Compared with placebo, clonidine lowered norepinephrine, increased beta1- and beta2-receptor responsiveness, and reduced resting and stress heart rate and blood pressure in all women (p < 0.05). Abused women showed bigger drops in heart rate (p < 0.01) and stress blood pressure (p < 0.05); non-abused women showed a bigger drop in norepinephrine (p = 0.07) and a bigger rise in beta2-receptor responsiveness (p < 0.05). ## What it means for you A history of sexual abuse may change how the body's stress-control system reacts to this drug in PMDD. The study is extremely small (only 12 women, 5 abused) so results are preliminary and should not guide treatment choices. 12 Women studied 5 With abuse history 0.3 mg/day Clonidine dose ## About the study Original title Histories of sexual abuse are associated with differential effects of clonidine on autonomic function in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Bunevicius R, Hinderliter AL, Light KC et al. Journal Biological psychology Year 2005 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Clonidine 0.3 mg/day versus placebo, each for 2 months, crossover design. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.08.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.08.002) ## 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/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2003 How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD? Survey study, 2025 What is the link between stress hormones, psychological distress, and resilience in women with PMDD and PMS? Review, 2004 Could a brain hormone called allopregnanolone explain mood problems like PMDD in women? Randomised trial, 2019 Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD? Randomised trial, 2003 Are SSRI antidepressants effective for PMDD? Survey study, 2025 Do menstrual problems and poor sleep affect mood and thinking in teenage girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗