---
title: Do women with PMS have abnormal growth hormone levels like women with depression?
description: No, levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 did not differ between women with PMS and controls, suggesting PMS and depression have different biological causes.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/insulin-like-growth-factor-1-and-insulin-like-growth-factor-binding-protein-3-in-1998/
---

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- Do women with PMS have abnormal growth hormone levels like women with depression?

Case-control study, 1998

# Do women with PMS have abnormal growth hormone levels like women with depression?

No, levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 did not differ between women with PMS and controls, suggesting PMS and depression have different biological causes.

 Moderate study design

32 women with PMS and 32 asymptomatic controls from UCLA

## What they did

Prospective case-control study of 32 women with PMS and 32 asymptomatic controls who kept daily symptom diaries and completed depression screening. Blood samples were taken 5 and 12 days after the LH surge was detected using a urinary LH kit.

## What they found

Levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, estrogen, and progesterone did not differ between women with PMS and control subjects.

## What it means for you

Even though PMS and depression share similar symptoms, this study suggests they may have different biological causes. The study had a reasonable sample size and prospective design, but it only measured one hormone system and tested at two specific time points.

32

Women with PMS

32

Asymptomatic controls

5 and 12

Days after LH surge when blood samples taken

## About the study

Original title Insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in women with premenstrual syndrome Authors Rapkin AJ, Cedars M, Morgan M et al. Journal Fertility and sterility Year 1998 Study design Case-control study Participants 32 What was tested None (observational hormone measurement study) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00389-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00389-6)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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## Related studies

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How often do mood disorders and PMS or PMDD occur together?

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Systematic review, 2024

How common is PMDD?

Cohort study, 2023

Are PMS symptoms linked to genetic factors for psychiatric disorders?

Systematic review, 2022

What increases the risk of depression after childbirth?

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