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Case-control study, 2014

Are appetite-regulating hormones ghrelin and leptin different in women with PMS?

Leptin levels were higher in women with PMS before their period, but ghrelin showed no difference. The meaning is unclear because these hormones normally work together to control hunger.

Early or limited evidence 45 women with PMS and 45 healthy women, matched for age, body mass index, and menstrual cycle length

What they did

A case-control study comparing 45 women with PMS and 45 healthy control women matched for age, body mass index, and menstrual cycle length. Researchers measured blood levels of leptin and ghrelin twice in each woman: once in the postmenstrual phase (days 5-9) and once 2-3 days before menstruation.

What they found

In the PMS group, leptin was 31.05 (±14.16) ng/ml during the premenstrual period and 16.42 (±15.81) ng/ml during the postmenstrual period, a statistically significant difference. Ghrelin was 6.9 (±9.3) ng/ml in the PMS group and 8.8 (±9.3) ng/ml in controls, with no significant difference (p=0.79).

What it means for you

Leptin may play a role in PMS, but ghrelin does not. This is puzzling because these two hormones normally work together to regulate hunger and body weight. The connection between these hormones and PMS remains unclear. This was a small observational study.

45

participants per group

31.05

leptin ng/ml premenstrual (PMS)

16.42

leptin ng/ml postmenstrual (PMS)

About the study

Original title
In contrast to leptin, serum concentrations of ghrelin are not related to premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Unlu BS, Koken G, Celik F et al.
Journal
European review for medical and pharmacological sciences
Year
2014
Study design
Case-control study
Participants
45
What was tested
None; hormone levels were measured but not changed

Topics