---
title: Could orexin be a new treatment for PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: This review suggests orexin, a brain chemical, might help treat PMS by addressing sleep problems, mood changes, and thinking difficulties. Current medications
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-potential-role-of-the-orexin-system-in-premenstrual-syndrome-2023/
---

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- Could orexin be a new treatment for PMS symptoms?

Review, 2023

# Could orexin be a new treatment for PMS symptoms?

This review suggests orexin, a brain chemical, might help treat PMS by addressing sleep problems, mood changes, and thinking difficulties. Current medications like SSRIs don't work well for everyone, making new treatment targets important.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review of PMS mechanisms (not a study of specific people)

## What they did

Review of research on how the orexin system might contribute to PMS symptoms and how it could be targeted for treatment.

## What they found

Orexin appears to regulate steroid hormones involved in PMS and also affects the GABA system and inflammatory response. It may address sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive impairment caused by PMS.

## What it means for you

Orexin is a promising future research target for PMS, but this remains theoretical and has not been tested in humans with PMS. This is early-stage research into possible mechanisms.

## About the study

Original title The potential role of the orexin system in premenstrual syndrome Authors Dong P, Dai W, Su M et al. Journal Frontiers in endocrinology Year 2023 Study design Review What was tested Orexin (proposed as a theoretical target, not yet tested in humans) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1266806](https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1266806) Original abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs recurrently during the luteal phase of a woman's menstrual cycle and disappears after menstruation ends. It is characterized by abnormal changes in both the body and mood, and in certain cases, severe disruptions in daily life and even suicidal tendencies. Current drugs for treating PMS, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, do not yield satisfactory results. Orexin, a neuropeptide produced in the lateral hypothalamus, is garnering attention in the treatment of neurological disorders and is believed to modulate the symptoms of PMS. This paper reviews the advancements in research on sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive impairment caused by PMS, and suggests potential pathways for orexin to address these symptoms. Furthermore, it delves into the role of orexin in the molecular mechanisms underlying PMS. Orexin regulates steroid hormones, and the cyclic fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PMS. Additionally, orexin also modulates the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system and the inflammatory response involved in coordinating the mechanism of PMS. Unraveling the role of orexin in the pathogenesis of PMS will not only aid in understanding the etiology of PMS but also hold implications for orexin as a novel target for treating PMS.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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