---
title: Could premenstrual symptoms result from infections that worsen with immune changes?
description: This is a theoretical proposal that PMS may result from infections that flare when hormones suppress immunity. This is speculation, not a research finding.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-an-evolutionary-perspective-on-its-causes-and-treatment-2007/
---

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- Could premenstrual symptoms result from infections that worsen with immune changes?

Review, 2007

# Could premenstrual symptoms result from infections that worsen with immune changes?

This is a theoretical proposal that PMS may result from infections that flare when hormones suppress immunity. This is speculation, not a research finding.

 Early or limited evidence

Not a study; theoretical review

## What they did

A review article proposed a theoretical explanation for PMS based on how infectious disease and immune function change across the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

The proposal suggests that PMS symptoms result from different infections flaring in different women due to cyclic immune suppression from hormone changes. Cyclic changes in estrogen and progesterone suppress immune defences at certain times, potentially allowing infections to activate.

## What it means for you

This theory suggests infections might be more important to PMS than previously thought and treatment might need to target infections. However, this is a speculative model not yet tested by research.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome: an evolutionary perspective on its causes and treatment Authors Doyle C, Ewald HA, Ewald PW Journal Perspectives in biology and medicine Year 2007 Study design Review What was tested Theoretical review proposing infectious mechanisms in PMS Read the paper [doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2007.0015](https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.2007.0015)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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