Historical Sexual Abuse and Current Thyroid Axis Profiles in Women With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Girdler, Susan S.; Thompson, Kate S.; Light, Kathleen C.; Leserman, Jane; Pedersen, Cort A.; Prange, Arthur J.

doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000127690.38525.ab

Cited by 21 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…These observations resulted in our hypothesis that the influence of menstrual cycle on HRV may be related to cyclic variations of thyroid-related hormone levels. Nevertheless, in contrast to previous observations (5,22,53), we failed to identify any significant difference in thyroid-related hormone levels (free T 3 , free T 4 , and TSH) between the follicular phase and luteal phase, as was reported by others (21,29). This finding seems to be contradictory to the evidence that suggested that menstrual cycle physiology may impact hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function (16,21).…”

Section: Correlations Between Nonlinear and Linear Hrv Measurescontrasting

confidence: 86%

“…Symptoms arising from "overactivity" or "underactivity" of the thyroid gland resemble sympathovagal unbalance-mediated symptoms (32). Serum thyroglobulin, thyroid volume, and especially thyroid-related hormone levels may vary during the menstrual cycle (5,22,53). These observations resulted in our hypothesis that the influence of menstrual cycle on HRV may be related to cyclic variations of thyroid-related hormone levels.…”

Section: Correlations Between Nonlinear and Linear Hrv Measuresmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Second, we hypothesized that cyclic variation of the ovarian hormone levels would contribute to these changes because a previous study (73) correlated ovarian hormones with sympathovagal tone. Third, we hypothesized that thyroid-related hormones may play a role in these changes because it has been observed that menstrual cycle-related alterations took place in some thyroid-associated parameters, including some thyroid-related hormone levels (5,22,53), and that excessive or insufficient thyroid hormones are relevant to autonomic nervous systemmediated symptoms.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Influence of the menstrual cycle on nonlinear properties of heart rate variability in young women

Bai

Li²,

Zhou³

et al. 2009

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology

145

108

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This study was designed to assess the changes in nonlinear properties of heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) during the menstrual cycle by means of complexity measures, including sample entropy (SampEn) and correlation dimension (CD), and explore probable physiological interpretations for them. In 16 healthy women (mean age: 23.8 +/- 2.7 yr), complexity measures along with the spectral components of HRV (sympathovagal markers) were analyzed over 1,500 R-R intervals recorded during both the follicular phase (day 11.9 +/- 1.4) and the luteal phase (day 22.0 +/- 1.4) of each woman's menstrual cycle. Simultaneously, serum ovarian hormone (estradiol-17 and progesterone) and thyroid-related hormone [free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine (T(4)), and thyroid-stimulating hormone] concentrations were measured. With regard to HRV measures, SampEn, CD, and high-frequency (HF) components decreased from the follicular phase to the luteal phase, whereas normalized low-frequency (LF) components and the LF-to-HF ratio as well as resting HR increased. In regard to hormone levels, whereas progesterone was increased, the other hormone concentrations were unchanged. Furthermore, across the menstrual cycle, both SampEn and CD were well correlated with the spectral indexes and free T(4) concentrations, and SampEn also showed significant correlations with the ratio of estradiol-17 to progesterone concentrations. These results suggest that the nonlinear properties in HRV are altered during the regular menstrual cycle and that the autonomic nervous system, ovarian hormone balance, and free T(4) may be involved in nonlinear HR control in healthy women. All of these factors may enrich the physiological meanings of complexity measures.

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Section: Correlations Between Nonlinear and Linear Hrv Measurescontrasting

confidence: 86%

Section: Correlations Between Nonlinear and Linear Hrv Measuresmentioning

confidence: 91%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of the menstrual cycle on nonlinear properties of heart rate variability in young women

Bai

Li²,

Zhou³

et al. 2009

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology

145

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a study by Girdler et al (2004), women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and a history of sexual abuse showed a greater FT3/FT4 ratio, as compared to women with PMDD and no history of sexual abuse as well as healthy controls. Friedman, Wang, Jalowiec, McHugo, and McDonagh-Coyle (2005) found significant elevations in TT3/FT4 and a significant reduction in TSH, in a community sample of 63 women with PTSD due to childhood sexual abuse as compared to 42 women without PTSD, of whom 17% also reported childhood sexual abuse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis and exposure to interpersonal violence in childhood among women with borderline personality disorder

Sinai

Hirvikoski

Nordström

et al. 2014

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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BackgroundA relationship between exposure to sexual violence and thyroid hormone alterations has been observed among women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) report a high estimate of childhood trauma.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess relationships between thyroid hormone measures and exposure to violence in childhood in women with BPD.MethodA total of 92 clinically euthyroid women with BPD (53% with comorbid PTSD) diagnosis and at least two prior suicide attempts were assessed with the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scales (KIVS). The KIVS contains four subscales with concrete examples of exposure to violence and expressed violent behavior in childhood (aged 6–14 years) and during adult life (15 years or older). Baseline thyroid function was evaluated by measuring plasma free and bound triiodothyronine (FT3 and T3), thyroxine (FT4 and T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with immunoassays. The FT3/FT4 ratio was used to estimate peripheral deiodination. Plasma cortisol was also assessed.ResultsSixty-seven percent of patients reported medium high or high level of exposure to interpersonal violence as a child. The FT3/FT4 ratio showed a significant negative correlation with exposure to violence as a child. Patients with PTSD had significantly higher plasma cortisol levels. An ad hoc analysis revealed that the correlation between KIVS exposure to interpersonal violence as a child and FT3/FT4 ratio was significant only in patients with comorbid PTSD. Altered thyroid activity, especially FT3/FT4, levels was associated with exposure to violence in childhood in women with BPD.ConclusionSevere childhood trauma-related stress may promote lasting altered thyroid levels and/or contribute to the development of psychopathology associated with BPD traits or PTSD.

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“…In support of this hypothesis, a number of studies have linked traumatic experiences to greater odds of MRMD (Perkonigg et al, 2004; Pilver et al, 2011; Bertone-Johnson et al, 2014). Moreover, those with MRMD and histories of abuse show unique alterations in various stress-responsive physiological systems that are not seen in women without a MRMD who have similar abuse histories, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (Girdler et al, 2004; Bunevicius et al, 2012) and the sympathetic nervous system (Girdler, 2003; Girdler et al, 2007). Finally, we recently found that cyclical increases in P4 were associated with greater susceptibility to mood symptoms and interpersonal problems only among women high in borderline personality features (Eisenlohr-Moul et al., 2015), traits which often develop as adaptations to abuse (Bandelow et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histories of abuse predict stronger within-person covariation of ovarian steroids and mood symptoms in women with menstrually related mood disorder

Eisenlohr‐Moul

Rubinow

Schiller

et al. 2016

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Objective Individual differences in sensitivity to cyclical changes in ovarian steroids estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of menstrually related mood disorder (MRMD). However, no prospective studies have investigated psychosocial risk factors for sensitivity to hormone effects on mood in MRMD. Using a repeated measures approach and multilevel models, we tested the hypothesis that a history of abuse provides a context in which within-person elevations of E2 and P4 prospectively predict daily symptoms. Method 66 women with prospectively-confirmed MRMD recruited for a trial of oral contraceptives provided 1 month of baseline hormone and mood data prior to randomization. Lifetime physical and sexual abuse experiences were assessed. Across one cycle, women completed daily measures of symptoms and provided blood samples on 5 days across the menstrual cycle. Current E2 and P4 were centered within person (CWP) such that higher values represented cyclical elevations in hormones. Results Rates of physical (27%) and sexual (29%) abuse were high, consistent with previous work documenting a link between trauma and MRMD. In women with a history of physical abuse, cyclical increases in P4 predicted greater mood and interpersonal symptoms on the three days following that sample. In women with a history of sexual abuse, cyclical increases in E2 predicted greater anxiety symptoms on the three days following that sample. Conclusions Results inform further inquiry into the role of severe life stressors and stress response systems in MRMD. We discuss areas for future research on the psychosocial and physiological pathways through which abuse may influence the link between hormones and symptoms.

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Historical Sexual Abuse and Current Thyroid Axis Profiles in Women With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Abstract: These results suggest increased conversion of T4 to T3 and increased binding of thyroid hormones in women with PMDD with previous sexual abuse. Abnormal total T3 concentrations may have pathophysiological significance in PMDD.

Cited by 21 publications

References 29 publications

Influence of the menstrual cycle on nonlinear properties of heart rate variability in young women

Influence of the menstrual cycle on nonlinear properties of heart rate variability in young women

Hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis and exposure to interpersonal violence in childhood among women with borderline personality disorder

Histories of abuse predict stronger within-person covariation of ovarian steroids and mood symptoms in women with menstrually related mood disorder

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