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Cyclical Changes in Calcium Metabolism across the Menstrual Cycle in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center (S.T.-J.) and Division of Endocrinology (D.M., J.P.B.), Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10019

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Susan Thys-Jacobs, M.D., 343 West 58th Street, Suite 11, New York, New York 10019. E-mail: sthysja{at}chpnet.org.

Context: Alterations in calcium homeostasis have long been associated with affective disorders. Recently, it has been suggested that abnormalities in calcium metabolism may be responsible for some affective and somatic symptoms in women with premenstrual syndrome.

Objective: Our objective was to measure fluctuations and group differences in calcium-regulating hormones across the menstrual cycle in women with and without premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional and prospective study of women with and without PMDD. Participating women underwent 2 months of self-assessment symptom screening and 1 month of hormonal evaluation.

Results: Calcium-regulating hormones varied significantly across the menstrual cycle in both groups. Total serum, ionized and urine calcium, pH, intact PTH, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)₂D] varied significantly over the menstrual cycle. The PMDD group, when compared with controls, had significantly lower ionized calcium at phase 1 (menses) (1.166 ± 0.072 vs. 1.182 ± 0.087 mmol/liter; P = 0.027), significantly lower urine calcium excretion at three of the five phases (late follicular phase 2, midcycle phase 3, and early luteal phase 4), and significantly lower 1,25(OH)₂D at luteal phase 4 (45.0 ± 27.5 vs. 50.6 ± 33.8 pg/ml; P = 0.032).

Conclusions: Cyclical fluctuations of the calcium-regulating hormones may help us better understand some of the psychological and somatic features of PMDD. The lack of responsiveness in vitamin D metabolism resulting in a decline in 1,25(OH)₂D during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may serve as the biological trigger for the classical features of PMDD.

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				S. Thys-Jacobs, D. McMahon, and J. P. Bilezikian Differences in Free Estradiol and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Women with and without Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2008; 93(1): 96 - 102. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]