Case-control study, 1990
Do melatonin levels differ in women with PMS?
No, there was no significant difference in melatonin levels between women with PMS and healthy women at different phases of the menstrual cycle.
What they did
The researchers measured urinary melatonin levels in 26 women - some with PMS and some without - during the early follicular phase and the late luteal (premenstrual) phase.
What they found
There was no significant difference in melatonin levels on day 6 or day 26 of the menstrual cycle between PMS patients and control subjects. Melatonin levels also did not change significantly within the menstrual cycle in either group.
What it means for you
Melatonin is probably not involved in causing PMS. However, the measurement method used (12-hour urine samples) may have missed small changes in melatonin that happen early in the morning, so the findings are not definitive.
26
women studied
Day 6
early follicular phase measured
Day 26
late luteal phase measured
About the study
- Original title
- Urinary 6-sulphatoxy melatonin levels within the menstrual cycle and in patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- McIntyre IM, Morse C
- Journal
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 26
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0306-4530(90)90034-7
Topics
Related studies
Cohort study, 2026
Do sleep, exercise, and diet quality affect period pain, heavy bleeding, and PMS in midlife?
Randomised trial, 2026
Does a warm footbath help PMS symptoms and sleep quality?
Review, 2024
What do brain wave patterns show about PMS and PMDD?
Cohort study, 2024
Is there a link between sleep and menstrual problems in teenage girls?
Randomised trial, 2010
Does Vitex agnus castus (chasteberry) reduce PMS symptoms in Chinese women?
Cohort study, 2004
Do women with PMS have worse menopausal symptoms?