---
title: Is a specific progesterone hormone lower in women with PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes. Women with PMS had lower levels of allopregnanolone (a calming hormone made from progesterone) in the luteal phase compared to women without PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/progesterone-metabolite-allopregnanolone-in-women-with-premenstrual-syndrome-1997/
---

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- Is a specific progesterone hormone lower in women with PMS?

Case-control study, 1997

# Is a specific progesterone hormone lower in women with PMS?

Yes. Women with PMS had lower levels of allopregnanolone (a calming hormone made from progesterone) in the luteal phase compared to women without PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

35 women with PMS and 36 women without PMS (controls)

## What they did

Researchers studied 35 women with confirmed PMS and 36 women without PMS. Blood was tested for progesterone and allopregnanolone on two specific days of the cycle (day 19 and day 26, timed using ovulation test kits).

## What they found

On day 26, allopregnanolone was lower in the PMS group than in controls (3.6 vs 7.5 ng/mL, a statistically meaningful difference). The ratio of allopregnanolone to progesterone was also smaller in the PMS group (0.9 vs 3.2). Regular progesterone levels themselves were not different between the two groups.

## What it means for you

Low allopregnanolone may make it harder for the brain to calm itself during times of stress or hormone shifts, which could help explain PMS mood symptoms like anxiety, tension, and low mood. The abstract does not describe sample demographics or location in detail, and this is a comparison study, not a treatment trial.

3.6

Allopregnanolone, day 26, PMS group (ng/mL)

7.5

Allopregnanolone, day 26, controls (ng/mL)

0.9 vs 3.2

Allopregnanolone-to-progesterone ratio, PMS vs controls

## About the study

Original title Progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone in women with premenstrual syndrome Authors Rapkin AJ, Morgan M, Goldman L et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 1997 Study design Case-control study What was tested No treatment tested; this measured hormone levels, not a therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(97)00417-1](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(97)00417-1)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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