--- title: Are brain structure differences in PMDD permanent or temporary? description: Brain volume differences in women with PMDD appear to be permanent traits that don't change across the menstrual cycle. This suggests the differences reflect url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/trait-versus-state-grey-matter-volume-alterations-in-premenstrual-dysphoric-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are brain structure differences in PMDD permanent or temporary? Case-control study, 2025 # Are brain structure differences in PMDD permanent or temporary? Brain volume differences in women with PMDD appear to be permanent traits that don't change across the menstrual cycle. This suggests the differences reflect an underlying vulnerability to PMDD rather than temporary changes from symptoms. Early or limited evidence 28 women with PMDD and 26 healthy controls ## What they did 28 women with PMDD and 26 healthy controls had brain scans during two different phases of their menstrual cycle (mid-follicular and late-luteal). Researchers measured the volume of grey matter in different brain regions at each time point. ## What they found Women with PMDD had smaller brain volumes compared to controls across both menstrual cycle phases, particularly in the cerebellum and cuneus. The effect sizes ranged from Cohen's d = 0.4 to 1.1. The brain differences did not change between cycle phases, meaning they were consistent throughout the cycle. ## What it means for you The brain differences in PMDD are stable traits present throughout the menstrual cycle, not just during the symptomatic phase. This suggests the differences may represent a biological vulnerability to developing PMDD. However, the sample was relatively small. 28 Women with PMDD 26 Healthy control women 0.4-1.1 Cohen's d effect size range ## About the study Original title Trait- versus state- grey matter volume alterations in premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Stiernman L, Dubol M, Sundström-Poromaa I et al. Journal BMC psychiatry Year 2025 Study design Case-control study Participants 28 What was tested None; observational study comparing brain scans across menstrual cycle phases Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07533-5](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07533-5) Original abstract BACKGROUND: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is characterized by symptoms of irritability, affective lability, anxiety, and depression, which occur only in the luteal phase of ovulatory menstrual cycles. This offers an ideal model to assess the neural correlates of the on and off switch of mood symptoms. Recently, we highlighted differences in grey matter volume between individuals with PMDD and healthy controls during the luteal phase, depicting smaller volumes in those diagnosed with the condition. However, it is unknown whether such alterations represent state-like changes specific to the symptomatic phase, or trait-like characteristics. METHODS: Here, 28 patients with PMDD and 26 controls underwent anatomical magnetic resonance imaging during the mid-follicular and the late-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. For each time point, we assessed grey matter volumes over the whole brain using voxel-based morphometry. RESULTS: We found no group-by-phase interaction effect on grey matter volumes, but a main effect of group across menstrual cycle phases, suggesting trait rather than state structural markers of PMDD. Patients displayed smaller volumes compared to controls, primarily in the cerebellum and cuneus, and at a trend-level in ventral occipito-temporal, parietal, paracentral and orbitofrontal areas, as well as the putamen (Cohen’s d range: 0.4–1.1). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the differences in grey matter volumes found in PMDD are stable across the menstrual cycle and could represent trait-like, vulnerability markers of PMDD. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/) 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, 2026 What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms? Study, 2026 How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains? Systematic review, 2026 Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD? Systematic review, 2026 Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle? Case-control study, 2026 Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle? Systematic review, 2025 How do cognition and behavior change across the menstrual cycle in people with PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗