Changes in mood, cognitive performance and appetite in the late luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in women with and without PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)

Abstract

Although it's been reported that women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have increased negative mood, appetite (food cravings and food intake), alcohol intake and cognitive deficits premenstrually, few studies have examined these changes concurrently within the same group of women or compared to women without PMDD. Thus, to date, there is not a clear understanding of the full range of PMDD symptoms. The present study concurrently assessed mood and performance tasks in 29 normally cycling women (14 women who met DSM-IV criteria for PMDD and 15 women without PMDD). Women had a total of ten sessions: two practice sessions, 4 sessions during the follicular phase and 4 sessions during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Each session, participants completed mood and food-related questionnaires, a motor coordination task, performed various cognitive tasks and ate lunch. There was a significant increase in dysphoric mood during the luteal phase in women with PMDD compared to their follicular phase and compared to Control women. Further, during the luteal phase, women with PMDD showed impaired performance on the Immediate and Delayed Word Recall Task, the Immediate and Delayed Digit Recall Task and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test compared to Control women. Women with PMDD, but not Control women, also showed increased desire for food items high in fat during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase and correspondingly, women with PMDD consumed more calories during the luteal phase (mostly derived from fat) compared to the follicular phase. In summary, women with PMDD experience dysphoric mood, a greater desire and actual intake of certain foods and show impaired cognitive performance during the luteal phase. An altered serotonergic system in women with PMDD may be the underlying mechanism for the observed symptoms; correspondingly, treatment with specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remains the preferred treatment at this time.

Effects of Acupuncture on the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Caused by Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

“…17 In both groups, there were reports of increased ingestion of sweets and chocolates and higher calorie intake in the premenstrual period (before the investigation started), demonstrating that the need for carbohydrate consumption in these women could be related to the serotonergic hypofunction characteristic of PMDD. 20 Although there is a trend towards increased alcohol consumption in PMDD patients, 21 in this sample no volunteer regularly consumed alcoholic beverages, and only moderate drinking was reported.…”

Estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de mulheres jovens na fase lútea e folicular do ciclo menstrual

“…Pesquisas relacionam mudanças no comportamento alimentar, no tocante à quantidade e à qualidade de alimentos consumidos durante as fases do ciclo menstrual, especialmente na fase lútea [1][2][3] . Entretanto, a maioria dos estudos baseia--se apenas nas alterações ocorridas em mulheres com Síndrome Pré-Menstrual (SPM).…”

Validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) and association of PSST scores with health-related quality of life

“…1 One such example is premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a cluster of recurrent physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms occurring during the late luteal phase and disappearing within a few days of the onset of menses. [2][3][4] As many as 80% of women experience at least one of the PMS symptoms 3,5,6 described in the ICD-10, 7 which include, but are not limited to, mild psychological discomfort, feelings of bloating and weight gain, breast tenderness, swelling of hands and feet, various aches and pains, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite.…”