Case-control study, 2007
Do blood markers of stress and blood vessel chemicals change in women with PMS?
Yes, two substances called nitric oxide and adrenomedullin were higher at certain points in the cycle in women with PMS, but a marker of cell damage (MDA) did not differ.
What they did
Researchers studied 21 women aged 28 to 37 with regular periods and PMS. They took blood samples on day 3 and day 21 of their cycle and measured three substances (MDA, nitrite, and adrenomedullin) plus estradiol, comparing results to a control group.
What they found
There was no significant difference in age, number of pregnancies, or body weight between groups (P > 0.05). Nitric oxide (nitrite) was significantly higher on day 3 than day 21 in the PMS group (P < 0.05). Adrenomedullin on day 21 was significantly higher in the PMS group than in controls (P < 0.05). MDA levels did not show a significant change.
What it means for you
The findings suggest nitric oxide and adrenomedullin might play some role in what happens in the body during PMS, but this does not prove they cause symptoms. The study was very small (21 women) and only looked at blood chemistry, not symptoms directly, so it cannot tell us how to treat PMS.
21
Number of women studied
28-37 years
Age range
P < 0.05
Significance threshold used
About the study
- Original title
- Malon dialdehyde, nitrite and adrenomedullin levels in patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Balat O, Dikensoy E, Ugur MG et al.
- Journal
- Archives of gynecology and obstetrics
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-0269-1