Survey study, 1987
Do women with PMS have lower levels of a pain-relieving chemical in their blood?
Yes. Women with PMS had lower plasma beta-endorphin (a natural pain-reliever) in the week before their period and during menstrual flow. However, this very small study of only 11 women needs confirmation in larger research.
What they did
Researchers measured blood chemicals in 11 women with PMS and 8 healthy women. Blood samples were collected every 2 to 3 days for 1 month starting from midcycle. Women completed a questionnaire about their symptoms during the study.
What they found
Women with PMS showed a decrease in plasma beta-endorphin in the week before their period and during the first days of menstrual flow. Beta-endorphin levels returned to normal during the next follicular phase. Two other chemicals, beta-lipotropin and cortisol, remained stable in both groups. Healthy women showed no changes in beta-endorphin levels. Women with PMS reported water retention, pain discomfort, and mood swings.
What it means for you
This suggests women with PMS may have a drop in a natural pain-relieving chemical at a key time of their cycle. The main limitation is the very small sample size of only 11 PMS patients.
11
women with PMS
8
healthy control women
1 month
study duration
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual fall of plasma beta-endorphin in patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Facchinetti F, Martignoni E, Petraglia F et al.
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 11
- What was tested
- Observational study only, no treatment tested
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)59104-3
Topics
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