Survey study, 2016
Is Toxoplasma infection linked to PMDD?
Possibly. Among 151 women with PMDD, 6.6 percent had evidence of Toxoplasma infection. Total symptom count did not differ between infected and uninfected women. However, infected women were less likely to report difficulty concentrating and more likely to feel out of control or overwhelmed.
What they did
Researchers studied 151 women with PMDD. They tested blood samples for Toxoplasma antibodies using specialized tests. In infected women, they also looked for Toxoplasma DNA. They compared PMDD symptoms between infected and uninfected women using questionnaires.
What they found
6.6 percent of the 151 women had evidence of Toxoplasma infection (antibodies). Of the 10 infected women, 40 percent had signs of active infection and 10 percent had detectable DNA. The average total number of symptoms was similar in both groups (25.8 in infected women versus 29.22 in uninfected). However, infected women were less likely to report difficulty concentrating and more likely to feel out of control or overwhelmed.
What it means for you
This first study of Toxoplasma and PMDD suggests a possible link to specific mood symptoms but not overall symptom counts. The infected group was very small (10 women), and this is only one study. Much larger and further research is needed before any connection can be confirmed.
6.6%
Women with Toxoplasma antibodies
40%
Of infected women with current infection
10%
Of infected women with detectable DNA
About the study
- Original title
- Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Authors
- Alvarado-Esquivel C, Sanchez-Anguiano LF, Hernandez-Tinoco J et al.
- Journal
- Journal of clinical medicine research
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 151
- What was tested
- None - observational study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.14740/jocmr2699w
Topics
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