Study, 1985
Are brain chemical levels different in women with PMS?
Yes. A brain chemical called beta-endorphin was lower in women with PMS, and it decreased more during the later part of their cycle compared to women without PMS.
What they did
Researchers measured brain chemicals including beta-endorphin in 20 women with PMS and 20 without symptoms at different times of their menstrual cycle.
What they found
Beta-endorphin levels were clearly lower in women with PMS. Levels also showed a clear decrease during the luteal phase (later part of your cycle) in women with PMS. Other brain chemicals (neurotensin, pancreatic peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin, and bombesin-like proteins) showed no clear changes between cycle phases in women with PMS.
What it means for you
Low beta-endorphin may be involved in PMS symptoms, since this brain chemical can affect mood and pain. However, this was a small study with only 40 women, and we do not know if low beta-endorphin causes PMS or is a result of it.
20
women with PMS studied
20
asymptomatic women
6
different brain chemicals measured
About the study
- Original title
- Neuropeptide levels in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Chuong CJ, Coulam CB, Kao PC et al.
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 1985
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 25
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49034-5