A specific profile of luteal phase progesterone is associated with the development of premenstrual symptoms

Abstract

Lovick, T., Guapo, V. G., Amselmo-Franci, J. A., Loureiro, C. M., Faleiros, C. M., Del Ben, C. M., & Brandão, M. L. (2017). A specific profile of luteal phase progesterone is associated with the development of premenstrual symptoms. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 75,[86][87][88][89][90] University of Bristol -Explore Bristol Research General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms There is a consensus that the development of premenstrual dysphoric states is related to cyclical change in gonadal hormone secretion during the menstrual cycle.However, results from studies seeking to link symptom severity to luteal phase progesterone concentration have been equivocal. In the present study we evaluated not only the absolute concentrations of progesterone but also the kinetics of the change in progesterone concentration in relation to development of premenstrual symptoms during the last 10 days of the luteal phase in a population of 46 healthy young adult Brazilian women aged 18-39 years, mean 26.5±6.7 years. In participants who developed symptoms of premenstrual distress, daily saliva progesterone concentration remained stable during most of the mid-late luteal phase, before declining sharply during the last 3 days prior to onset of menstruation. In contrast, progesterone concentration in asymptomatic women underwent a gradual decline over the last 8 days prior to menstruation. Neither maximum nor minimum concentrations of progesterone in the two groups were related to the appearance or severity of premenstrual symptoms. We propose that individual differences in the kinetics of progesterone secretion and/or metabolism may confer differential susceptibility to the development of premenstrual syndrome.

Effects of Estrogen Therapy on the Serotonergic System in an Animal Model of Perimenopause Induced by 4-Vinylcyclohexen Diepoxide (VCD)

“…Thus, it is possible that the beneficial effects of estradiol therapy during postmenopause occur through ALLO and progesterone. In accordance, low progesterone levels have been associated with mood swings that occur not only in perimenopause but also premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression ( Angst et al, 2001 ; Lovick, 2012 ; Lovick et al, 2017 ). Animal data have shown that progesterone reduces both anxiety and depressive behaviors in rodents ( Mora et al, 1996 ; Walf et al, 2004 ; Frye, 2011 ), and as luteal progesterone drops during diestrus, rats exhibit anxiety-like behaviors, which are enhanced during periestropause ( Reis et al, 2014 ).…”

Lowered Plasma Steady-State Levels of Progesterone Combined With Declining Progesterone Levels During the Luteal Phase Predict Peri-Menstrual Syndrome and Its Major Subdomains

“…Moreover, blocking the conversion of progesterone to its metabolite using the 5α-reductase inhibitor dutasteride mitigates symptoms of PMDD (Martinez et al, 2016). A recent study, which examined salivary progesterone, found that in women with PMS, progesterone levels declined rapidly 3 days prior to menstruation whereas mid-cycle progesterone concentrations were similar to those of asymptomatic participants (Lovick et al, 2017). Similar results were also reported by Andréen et al (2006) who reported that participants who developed PMS symptoms had an increased severity score during the period when progesterone was stable and then further increased when progesterone levels declined rapidly by the end of the cycle.…”

Lowered Plasma Steady-State Levels of Progesterone Combined with Declining Progesterone Levels During the Luteal Phase Predict Peri-Menstrual Syndrome and Its Major Subdomains

“…Moreover, blocking the conversion of progesterone to its metabolite using the 5α-reductase inhibitor dutasteride mitigates symptoms of PMDD (Martinez et al 2016). A recent study, which examined salivary progesterone, found that in women with PMS, progesterone levels declined rapidly 3 days prior to menstruation whereas mid-cycle progesterone concentrations were similar to those of asymptomatic participants (Lovick et al 2017). Similar results were also reported by Andréen et al who reported that participants who developed PMS symptoms had an increased severity score during the period when progesterone was stable and then further increased when progesterone levels declined rapidly by the end of the cycle (Andréen et al 2006).…”