---
title: Is the brain chemical serotonin different in women with premenstrual syndrome?
description: Yes. Women with PMS have significantly lower levels of serotonin receptors compared to healthy women, which might help explain why antidepressants work for PM
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/serotonergic-activity-and-the-beck-depression-inventory-in-the-premenstrual-2005/
---

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- Is the brain chemical serotonin different in women with premenstrual syndrome?

Case-control study, 2005

# Is the brain chemical serotonin different in women with premenstrual syndrome?

Yes. Women with PMS have significantly lower levels of serotonin receptors compared to healthy women, which might help explain why antidepressants work for PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

31 women with PMS and 26 healthy women

## What they did

Case-control study comparing 31 women with PMS to 26 healthy women. Researchers measured serotonin receptor activity on blood cells using a technique called imipramine binding. Both groups completed the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire.

## What they found

Women with PMS had significantly lower numbers of serotonin receptors compared to healthy women (P = 0.003). They also had significantly higher depression scores (P = 0.001). However, there was no correlation between the level of serotonin receptors and depression scores (r = 0.100, P = 0.591).

## What it means for you

There may be a serotonin abnormality in PMS that contributes to mood symptoms, which could explain why antidepressants help some women. However, the study is very small with only 31 women with PMS. The lack of correlation between serotonin receptor levels and depression suggests the relationship is more complex. Much more research is needed.

31

Women with PMS in the study

0.003

P-value for lower serotonin receptors in PMS

0.001

P-value for higher depression scores in PMS

## About the study

Original title Serotonergic activity and the Beck Depression Inventory in the premenstrual syndrome Authors Engin-Ustün Y, Ustün Y, Gürdal H et al. Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 2005 Study design Case-control study Participants 26 What was tested None (observational measurement) Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15971481/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15971481/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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Systematic review, 2026

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Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

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