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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

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