Chuong, C. J., Kao, P. C., Bergstralh, E. J., Go, V. L., & Coulam, C. B. (1985). Neuropeptide levels in premenstrual syndrome. Fertility and Sterility, 44(6), 760-765. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49034-5
Chuong CJ, Kao PC, Bergstralh EJ, Go VL, Coulam CB. Neuropeptide levels in premenstrual syndrome. Fertil Steril. 1985;44(6):760-765. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)49034-5
Chuong, C. J., et al. "Neuropeptide levels in premenstrual syndrome." Fertility and Sterility, vol. 44, no. 6, 1985, pp. 760-765.
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Women with PMS had lower beta-endorphin before their period
A 1985 Mayo Clinic study found that women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) had lower luteal-phase beta-endorphin than comparison women. The study enrolled 20 women with PMS and 20 without symptoms. Between day 7 and day 25 of the cycle, beta-endorphin fell in the PMS group and rose in the comparison group.
Key Findings
Luteal phase beta-endorphin was significantly lower in the 20 women with PMS than in the 20 comparison women (P = 0.0001). Follicular phase levels did not differ significantly.
In the PMS group, beta-endorphin decreased from the follicular phase to the luteal phase (P = 0.0002), and the change differed from the increase in the comparison group.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was lower in the PMS group in the luteal phase (P = 0.0007). Gastrin was lower in both phases (P = 0.0008 and P = 0.0004).
Neurotensin, human pancreatic polypeptide and bombesin-like immunoreactivity showed no significant differences between the groups on day 7 or day 25.
A larger share of women with PMS reported moderate to severe dysmenorrhea, 75% compared with 15% of the comparison women.
Interpretation
The study compared 20 women with PMS, whose symptoms were documented in daily diaries over at least three cycles, with 20 employee volunteers who reported no premenstrual symptoms. Blood was drawn on day 7 and day 25 of one cycle. The design shows an association between PMS and lower luteal-phase beta-endorphin. The authors acknowledge arguments that blood levels do not reflect brain activity, because the blood-brain barrier limits passage of this hormone. They suggest the premenstrual decrease may reflect lower levels in the brain, and they state that it can serve as an objective marker for PMS. The groups also differed in reported dysmenorrhea.
RRM Context
Restorative reproductive medicine asks what changes within the cycle explain recurring symptoms, and this design follows that question. Women kept diaries of second-half symptoms for at least three cycles, and fasting blood was drawn on day 7 (follicular phase) and day 25 (luteal phase).
Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.
Abstract
To determine whether changes in circulating levels of neuropeptides are associated with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), 20 women with the diagnosis of PMS and 20 asymptomatic subjects were studied. The premenstrual beta-endorphin levels were significantly lower in PMS patients (P = 0.0001). The decrease in beta-endorphin levels during the luteal phase, compared with the follicular phase, in PMS patients was also significant (P = 0.0002). Neurotensin, human pancreatic peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin, and bombesin-like immunoreactivity levels did not reveal significant changes between days 7 and 25 in patients with PMS.
