Systematic review, 2021
Are there hormone changes that could explain PMDD or depression in women?
Yes, women with PMDD have lower estrogen levels during the luteal phase of their cycle, and women with depression have lower testosterone levels. These hormonal differences may contribute to their symptoms.
What they did
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 63 case-control studies with 5,129 women, comparing hormone levels in those with PMDD or depression versus healthy controls.
What they found
Women with PMDD had lower luteal estradiol levels. Women with depression unrelated to pregnancy, postpartum, or perimenopause had lower testosterone and some evidence of lower DHEA-S levels. No hormone differences were found in women with pregnancy-related, postpartum, or perimenopausal depression.
What it means for you
Specific hormone imbalances may partly explain why some women develop PMDD or depression during reproductive stages. More research is needed to understand how these hormones affect mood.
5129
Women in 63 studies
63
Case-control studies analyzed
About the study
- Original title
- Variation in genes and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in female mood disorders - A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors
- Amiel Castro RT, Ehlert U, Fischer S
- Journal
- Frontiers in neuroendocrinology
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- None (comparison of hormone levels)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100929
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2026
Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?
Review, 2012
Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?
Survey study, 2014
Does allopregnanolone cause mood problems in premenstrual dysphoria and postpartum depression?
Survey study, 2026
Does a history of mood problems with your period predict depression during menopause?
Review, 2026
Do PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal depression have the same genetic causes?
Study, 2025
Can blood markers that predict depression after childbirth also predict PMDD?