--- title: Are immune and oxidative stress markers linked to menstrual cycle symptoms? description: Certain markers related to antioxidant defenses and immune function may play a role in menstrual cycle symptoms, though this isn't due to general inflammation url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-role-of-immune-and-oxidative-pathways-in-menstrual-cycle-associated-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are immune and oxidative stress markers linked to menstrual cycle symptoms? Cohort study, 2020 # Are immune and oxidative stress markers linked to menstrual cycle symptoms? Certain markers related to antioxidant defenses and immune function may play a role in menstrual cycle symptoms, though this isn't due to general inflammation. However, this is a small study with no control group, so the findings need confirmation. Early or limited evidence 41 women with menstrual cycle associated symptoms ## What they did 41 women recorded symptoms daily for 28 consecutive days using a symptom scale and had blood tests measuring various immune and oxidative stress markers at 4 time points during their menstrual cycle. ## What they found Most blood markers changed during the menstrual cycle. In women with menstrual cycle symptoms, certain markers were lower (arylesterase and malondialdehyde) or higher (lipid hydroperoxides and C4) at specific times. Progesterone and estradiol appeared to protect against oxidative stress. ## What it means for you Certain blood markers may be involved in PMS symptoms, but the picture is complex and not due to simple inflammation. Limited by small sample size and no control group to compare against. 41 women studied 28 consecutive days of tracking >0.666 DRSP percentile threshold for diagnosis ## About the study Original title The role of immune and oxidative pathways in menstrual cycle associated depressive, physio-somatic, breast and anxiety symptoms: Modulation by sex hormones Authors Roomruangwong C, Matsumoto AK, Michelin AP et al. Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 2020 Study design Cohort study Participants 41 What was tested None - observational study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110158](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110158) Original abstract Objective: To examine whether 1) immune and nitro-oxidative stress (IO&NS) biomarkers are associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS); and 2) changes in IO&NS biomarkers during the menstrual cycle (MC) are associated with PMS symptoms and plasma estradiol and progesterone. Methods: This longitudinal study examined 41 women who completed the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) rating scale during 28 consecutive days and assayed plasma levels of complement C3 and C4, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), haptoglobin (Hp), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), sulfhydryl (-SH) groups and the activity of paraoxonase (PON)1 at days 7 (D7), 14 (D14), 21 (D21) and 28 (D28) of the MC. MC Associated Syndrome (MCAS) was diagnosed when the summed DRSP score during the MC is >0.666 percentile. Results: All biomarkers, except hsCRP, showed significant alterations during the MC. Arylesterase (AREase) was lowered at D28, while LOOH increased at D14 and C4 at D21 in MCAS. Total DRSP scores were predicted by the combined effects of C4 (positively) and AREase and malondialdehyde (MDA) (both inversely associated). Progesterone lowered levels of LOOH, AOPP and C3 and estradiol lowered levels of Hp while both sex hormones increased 4-(chloromethyl)phenyl acetate (CMPA)ase and AREase activities and levels of -SH groups. Conclusion: PMS/MCAS is not accompanied by a peripheral inflammatory response. Lowered MDA and antioxidant defenses and increased C4 may play a role in MC symptoms while sex hormones may have a protective effect against oxidative stress toxicity. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/) 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 Cohort study, 2025 How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it? Randomised trial, 2024 Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea? Survey study, 2022 What factors are associated with irregular menstrual cycles and how do irregular cycles affect other symptoms? Survey study, 2022 Do stress and rumination increase with PMS severity? Review, 1999 Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder? Survey study, 2024 How do hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect gut health and mood? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗