Case-control study, 2004
Does norepinephrine cycle with the menstrual cycle differently in women with PMS?
Healthy women have a natural norepinephrine cycle that peaks at ovulation and early luteal phase, but women with PMS lack this cycling. Low norepinephrine is linked to mood swings, fatigue, and other symptoms.
What they did
Researchers measured plasma norepinephrine, estradiol, progesterone, and gonadotropin levels throughout the menstrual cycle in women with PMS and healthy controls. They also assessed menstrual symptoms and tracked correlations with hormone levels.
What they found
Women with PMS lacked the normal norepinephrine cyclicity seen in controls, who had peak NE at ovulation and early luteal phase. In PMS, estradiol was higher during the follicular phase. Low norepinephrine correlated with mood swings, impatience, nervousness, tiredness, weakness, apathy, and headache.
What it means for you
The loss of the normal norepinephrine cycle in PMS may explain why symptoms worsen in the luteal phase. Low norepinephrine is associated with multiple psychological and physical symptoms.
peak ovulation
NE cycle in healthy controls
no cycling
NE pattern in PMS
7 symptoms
linked to low norepinephrine
About the study
- Original title
- Lack of plasma norepinephrine cyclicity, increased estradiol during the follicular phase, and of progesterone and gonadotrophins at ovulation in women with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Blum I, Lerman M, Misrachi I et al.
- Journal
- Neuropsychobiology
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None - observational hormone measurement study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000077935
Topics
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