---
title: Does low progesterone cause PMS? | Niyora
description: No. Research by Professor Dennerstein showed that low progesterone does not cause PMS, even though hormones affect mood and behavior across the menstrual cycl
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-endocrinology-of-the-reproductive-years-2008/
---

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- Does low progesterone cause PMS?

Survey study, 2008

# Does low progesterone cause PMS?

No. Research by Professor Dennerstein showed that low progesterone does not cause PMS, even though hormones affect mood and behavior across the menstrual cycle.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of research on women across reproductive years

## What they did

Review of published research on how reproductive hormones relate to behavior across the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

Studies by Professor Dennerstein showed that hormones affect psychological symptoms and behavior across the menstrual cycle. Her research definitively refuted the theory that low progesterone causes PMS. Sexual behavior shows a cyclic pattern but does not clearly relate to measured hormone levels.

## What it means for you

Although hormones change across the menstrual cycle, low progesterone alone does not explain PMS. The relationship between hormones and mood is complex. This is a review summarizing past research, not new findings.

## About the study

Original title The endocrinology of the reproductive years Authors Randolph JF Jr Journal The journal of sexual medicine Year 2008 Study design Survey study What was tested None, review article Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00919.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00919.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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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