---
title: What happens in the brain when progesterone drops that causes premenstrual anxiety?
description: A laboratory study in animals found that specific brain receptors increase when progesterone drops, which may explain why anxiety increases before the period.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/progesterone-withdrawal-increases-the-anxiolytic-actions-of-gaboxadol-role-of-2003/
---

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- What happens in the brain when progesterone drops that causes premenstrual anxiety?

Study, 2003

# What happens in the brain when progesterone drops that causes premenstrual anxiety?

A laboratory study in animals found that specific brain receptors increase when progesterone drops, which may explain why anxiety increases before the period. This is animal research; much more study is needed to see if this applies to humans.

 Early or limited evidence

Rodent laboratory model (not a study of people).

## What they did

Laboratory study in rodents examining brain activity and anxiety-related behaviors during progesterone withdrawal, which mimics what happens before menstruation.

## What they found

A specific type of brain receptor increased after progesterone withdrawal. Drugs that target this receptor were much more effective at reducing anxiety-like behavior during progesterone withdrawal than in normal conditions. This suggests the receptor changes after progesterone drops may be related to premenstrual anxiety.

## What it means for you

This finding suggests one possible mechanism for why anxiety increases before your period. However, this is animal research conducted in rodents. We don't yet know if the same mechanism applies to humans or if these findings will lead to new treatments.

1.25 mg/kg

gaboxadol dose (animal)

10 mg/kg

pentobarbital dose (animal)

## About the study

Original title Progesterone withdrawal increases the anxiolytic actions of gaboxadol: role of alpha4betadelta GABA(A) receptors Authors Gulinello M, Gong QH, Smith SS Journal Neuroreport Year 2003 Study design Study What was tested progesterone withdrawal and drug testing in animal model Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200301200-00008](https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200301200-00008)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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