Review, 2003
How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?
A hormone called allopregnanolone acts on brain receptors. Changes in this hormone during the cycle may cause mood and behavioral symptoms in up to 20% of people through three mechanisms: direct effects, building tolerance, and withdrawal effects.
What they did
Review article explaining the theory of how menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain in mood and behavior disorders, based on animal and human studies.
What they found
Allopregnanolone is naturally produced during the menstrual cycle and affects GABA-A receptors in the brain. It can cause problems through three mechanisms: direct effects (sedation, mood changes), tolerance induction (women become less sensitive to the hormone), and withdrawal effects (mood worsens when levels drop). Up to 20% of individuals can experience adverse mood reactions. Women with PMDD may be less sensitive to GABA-A receptor changes.
What it means for you
This review presents a theory for how PMDD develops through changes in allopregnanolone during the menstrual cycle. The theory is based on scientific research but is not yet proven as the complete cause of PMS or PMDD. It suggests why some women experience cyclical mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle.
up to 20%
People with adverse mood reactions to GABA steroids
About the study
- Original title
- Pathogenesis in menstrual cycle-linked CNS disorders
- Authors
- Bäckström T, Andersson A, Andreé L et al.
- Journal
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Not applicable - review article.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1196/annals.1286.005
Topics
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