Study, 1980
Is progesterone deficiency the cause of premenstrual syndrome?
Progesterone deficiency is probably not the cause. The study found higher progesterone levels in women with PMS during the postovulatory phase, suggesting the problem is not too little progesterone.
What they did
Researchers measured progesterone levels, mood, salt excretion, and body weight across the menstrual cycle in 18 women with PMS and 10 women without symptoms. This was an observational study comparing the two groups.
What they found
Women with PMS had higher progesterone during the postovulatory phase and their peak levels appeared earlier. Changes in progesterone were accompanied by changes in salt excretion and fluid loss that decreased in the premenstrual phase. Mood symptoms appeared after these chemical changes occurred. Salt retention did not happen at any single period of the cycle.
What it means for you
Since women with PMS do not have low progesterone, giving them progesterone pills will likely not help unless blood tests show they are deficient. Treatment should instead focus on preventing the effects of progesterone that cause salt and water changes. The study is small and from 1980, so newer research would be valuable.
18
women with PMS
10
women without symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Progesterone, fluid, and electrolytes in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- O'Brien PM, Selby C, Symonds EM
- Journal
- British medical journal
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 18
- What was tested
- None - this was an observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/bmj.280.6224.1161
Topics
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