---
title: Is low beta-endorphin linked to PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Anxiety, food cravings and physical discomfort were associated with lower beta-endorphin levels, but other PMS symptoms were equally common in both groups. Th
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/symptoms-of-premenstrual-syndrome-as-a-function-of-beta-endorphin-two-subtypes-1994/
---

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- Is low beta-endorphin linked to PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 1994

# Is low beta-endorphin linked to PMS symptoms?

Anxiety, food cravings and physical discomfort were associated with lower beta-endorphin levels, but other PMS symptoms were equally common in both groups. This suggests there may be different subtypes of PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

46 women with PMS aged 21 to 32 years.

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 46 women with PMS aged 21 to 32. All completed a questionnaire based on DSM-III-R criteria. Serum beta-endorphin levels were measured on day 1 and day 20 of their menstrual cycle and compared with symptom presentation.

## What they found

Anxiety, food cravings and physical discomfort were associated with significant decline in beta-endorphin. Other symptoms were found equally distributed between women with and without beta-endorphin decline. The authors postulated the existence of different PMS subtypes based on beta-endorphin patterns.

## What it means for you

Some PMS symptoms (anxiety, food cravings, physical discomfort) may be linked to lower levels of beta-endorphin. This could explain why different women experience different PMS symptoms. Main limitations: small study of only 46 women, no control group, and only two measurements of hormone levels.

46

Women with PMS studied

21-32 years

Age range of participants

## About the study

Original title Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome as a function of beta-endorphin: two subtypes Authors Giannini AJ, Melemis SM, Martin DM et al. Journal Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry Year 1994 Study design Survey study What was tested None. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0278-5846(94)90063-9](https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-5846(94)90063-9)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

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