Lab study, 1997
Does the stress response system change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes, the stress hormone cortisol is suppressed more easily during the first half of the cycle, and stress receptors are more active then. This might explain why some women feel more irritable and moody just before their period.
What they did
They gave 23 women a low-dose dexamethasone drug at two cycle phases to see how much it suppressed cortisol. In 19 of the women, they also measured stress receptors in immune cells.
What they found
Cortisol was suppressed more during the early follicular phase than the mid-luteal phase. Stress receptors in immune cells were 78% higher during the follicular phase compared to the mid-luteal phase.
What it means for you
The stress response system works differently at different times of the cycle, which might contribute to mood changes before your period. The main limitations are that the study was small (23 women for cortisol, 19 for receptors) and included only women with no psychiatric history.
23
women tested for cortisol response
19
women tested for stress receptors
78%
higher stress receptors in follicular phase
About the study
- Original title
- Reduced sensitivity to glucocorticoid feedback and reduced glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Altemus M, Redwine L, Leong YM et al.
- Journal
- Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Lab study
- Participants
- 23
- What was tested
- Low-dose dexamethasone challenge test (0.25 mg).
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0893-133x(97)00039-0
Topics
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