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.
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
Topics
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