Non-randomised trial, 2005
Do women with PMS have abnormal automatic nerve function?
No significant differences were found in sympathetic nerve function between women with PMS and healthy women across their cycle. This suggests PMS is not caused by problems in this particular automatic nerve system, though only one type of test was measured.
What they did
A nonrandomized trial comparing sympathetic skin response (a test of automatic nerve function) in 24 women with PMS and 20 healthy controls, ages 22-34. Testing was done twice: during the follicular and late luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.
What they found
Amplitude and latency values of sympathetic skin response during both follicular and late luteal phases were statistically similar between the PMS group and control group. No differences were found in measurements from three body regions (palms, soles, genital area).
What it means for you
This test did not identify automatic nerve system differences that might explain PMS. However, this was only one type of nerve function test, so other mechanisms may still be involved. The study was small with 24 women in the PMS group.
24
women with PMS
20
control women
25±3
mean age (years)
About the study
- Original title
- Sympathetic skin response in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Ozisik HI, Kamisli O, Karlidag R et al.
- Journal
- Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 24
- What was tested
- None; measurement of nerve function
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s10286-005-0281-8
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