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Luteal-Phase Estradiol Relates to Symptom Severity in Patients with Premenstrual Syndrome¹

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Norrland, S-901 85 Umeå, Sweden.

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Torbjörn Bäckström, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Norrland, S-901 85 Umeå, Sweden. E-mail: torbjorn.backstrom{at}obstgyn.umu.se

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by distressing somatic and behavioral symptoms that develop after ovulation, reach a maximum during the premenstrual days, and disappear within 4 days after the onset of menstruation. Corpus luteum formation is necessary for the presence of symptoms, but the role of luteal hormones is unclear. The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between sex hormone serum concentrations and premenstrual symptom severity in patients with PMS. Mental and physical symptoms were marked on a validated visual analog scale by 30 PMS patients every evening. Daily blood samples were taken in the luteal phase and in most of the follicular phase. Estradiol, progesterone, FSH, and LH were analyzed. Symptom severity was calculated as the number of negative symptoms expressed per day and as summarized scores of negative ratings. Based on premenstrual hormone concentrations and using the median split method, patients were divided into groups with high and low hormone levels. The pattern of expressed symptoms and summarized scores during the menstrual cycle was similar for the 2 groups. High concentration of luteal-phase estradiol and LH were related to the severity of negative premenstrual symptoms.

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