--- title: Do leptin levels explain why women with PMDD eat more before their period? description: In normal-weight women with PMDD, lower leptin levels before the period are linked with eating more and wanting sweets. In overweight women with PMDD, leptin url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-late-luteal-leptin-level-caloric-intake-and-eating-behaviors-among-women-2015/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do leptin levels explain why women with PMDD eat more before their period? Cohort study, 2015 # Do leptin levels explain why women with PMDD eat more before their period? In normal-weight women with PMDD, lower leptin levels before the period are linked with eating more and wanting sweets. In overweight women with PMDD, leptin doesn't drop, but they still eat more sweets, possibly increasing their risk of leptin resistance. Moderate study design 62 women with PMDD and 69 controls, analyzed by weight status ## What they did 62 women with PMDD and 69 controls were evaluated during both the late luteal and follicular phases of their menstrual cycle. Researchers measured leptin hormone levels, calorie intake, and eating behaviors including uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. Results were analyzed separately for normal-weight and overweight women. ## What they found Women with PMDD had greater increases in total calorie intake, sweet calorie intake, and uncontrolled eating in the late luteal phase compared to controls. In normal-weight women with PMDD, leptin levels were lower in the late luteal phase and negatively correlated with sweet calorie intake and uncontrolled eating. In overweight women with PMDD, leptin levels stayed high and did not decrease in the late luteal phase, yet they still showed higher sweet calorie intake and uncontrolled eating than overweight controls. ## What it means for you In normal-weight women with PMDD, a drop in leptin may explain the increased eating and sweet cravings before the period. In overweight women with PMDD, the overeating pattern doesn't follow the same leptin changes, suggesting different biological causes. Overweight women with PMDD may face higher risk of leptin resistance and may need different treatment approaches. 62 women with PMDD 69 control women 2 menstrual phases assessed ## About the study Original title The late-luteal leptin level, caloric intake and eating behaviors among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Ko CH, Yen CF, Long CY et al. Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 2015 Study design Cohort study Participants 62 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.002) ## Topics [Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/) 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, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Case-control study, 2020 Do appetite hormones and eating behaviors change differently across the luteal phase in women with PMDD? Case-control study, 2018 Do women with PMDD crave different foods than healthy women? Case-control study, 2010 Do women with PMDD crave high-sugar and high-fat foods more than other women? Non-randomised trial, 2008 Do mood, memory, and food cravings worsen during the luteal phase in women with PMDD? Randomised trial, 2002 Does the birth control pill Yasmin help women with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗