---
title: Are hormone problems the cause of PMS? | Niyora
description: No clear hormone abnormalities have been found in people with PMS, even though hormones seem connected to mood. A treatment that stops monthly cycles improved
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-axis-in-mood-disorders-2002/
---

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- Are hormone problems the cause of PMS?

Review, 2002

# Are hormone problems the cause of PMS?

No clear hormone abnormalities have been found in people with PMS, even though hormones seem connected to mood. A treatment that stops monthly cycles improved mood, but why this works is still unclear.

 Early or limited evidence

No specific population; this review examined research across multiple studies.

## What they did

Reviewed research on how hormones and the reproductive system relate to mood disorders, including PMS.

## What they found

Studies have found no abnormalities in hormone levels (LH, estradiol, or progesterone) in people with PMS. Blocking progesterone did not work as a treatment for PMS. However, stopping monthly cycling entirely with a treatment called leuprolide improved mood. Stress does affect the reproductive hormone system, but this connection to PMS remains unclear.

## What it means for you

Even though hormones seem involved in PMS and mood, hormone levels measured in blood tests look normal, which is puzzling. A treatment that eliminates the menstrual cycle helps mood, suggesting that the cycling itself may matter more than the hormone levels. This is a review of existing studies, not new research, and much more study is needed to explain these findings.

## About the study

Original title The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in mood disorders Authors Young EA, Korszun A Journal Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America Year 2002 Study design Review What was tested No new intervention tested; various hormone treatments and PMS patterns were reviewed. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0889-8529(01)00002-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0889-8529(01)00002-0)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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.

## Related studies

Study, 2003

Does the stress response system work differently in women with PMS across the menstrual cycle?

Cohort study, 2022

What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Survey study, 2024

How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood?

Review, 2023

How does the stress response system affect depression during reproductive stages like PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2017

Does yoga help with PMS symptoms?

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