Lack of effect of induced menses on symptoms in women with premenstrual syndrome

Article Abstract:

The premenstrual syndromes (PMS) are a group of disorders with emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms occurring during the week or so before a woman's menstrual period begins. If PMS is caused by a physiological abnormality during the late luteal phase (the phase after ovulation takes place), prevention of this phase by hormone manipulation should also prevent PMS. On the other hand, if PMS continues in spite of prevention of the luteal phase, treatment of PMS by ''normalizing'' hormonal function would be useless. Fourteen women with PMS were given mifepristone (formerly known as RU-486), an antiprogestin agent, and half were also given human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), so that the hormonal actions of the late luteal phase would either be eliminated or maintained. If the hormones were not related to PMS, then there should have been no difference between the two groups of women. The study found that the types and severity of the symptoms of PMS were not changed by altering the hormones, and there was also no relation to either progesterone or estradiol, two other female hormones. PMS may be caused by hormonal changes that have not yet been identified, or it may be the result of an abnormal sensitivity to the normal changes of the menstrual cycle, caused by hormonal variations occurring at another time in the cycle. On the other hand, PMS may be a cyclic mood disorder that is synchronized with, but not caused by, the menstrual cycle. It is concluded that PMS may be either a disorder of mood state triggered by hormone fluctuations, or a separate disorder linked to, but not caused by, changes during the menstrual cycle. If this is so, there is no physical basis for the widespread practice of progesterone therapy for treating PMS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Affective disorders, Mood disorders

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Neuropsychiatric effects of anabolic steroids in male normal volunteers

Article Abstract:

Anabolic steroids may adversely affect mood and behavior. Anabolic steroids are artificial hormones that stimulate growth, and they are used medically to treat such conditions as breast cancer and hormone deficiency in males. However, about 1 million Americans illegally take anabolic steroids to increase body mass and physical strength and to reduce the time needed for recovery between workouts. Twenty healthy men aged 18 to 42 who had never used anabolic steroids took a placebo for three days, a low dose of the steroid methyltestosterone for three days, a high dose of methyltestosterone for three days and placebo for three days. While they were taking the high dose of the steroid, the men were more irritable and easily distracted, had more energy and violent tendencies and were more likely to feel anger, insomnia and fatigue. During that time, they were also more likely to experience mood swings, forgetfulness, confusion and euphoria. The response to the steroids was, however, subtle and varied widely among individuals.

Psychological aspects, Human behavior, Anabolic steroids, Mood (Psychology)

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The treatment of premenstrual syndrome - forward into the past

Article Abstract:

There are ways of treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that begin to explain this relatively poorly understood disorder. A 1995 study found that Prozac can be effective in treating PMS. Because Prozac raises serotonin levels, it may be that a decrease in serotonin causes PMS. Perhaps this serotonin drop is triggered by hormones produced by the ovaries before menstruation. Although this hormone production is normal, the body may become more and more sensitive to the hormones over time. The Prozac study raises important questions: does Prozac actually reduce PMS symptoms, or does it make women more tolerant of those symptoms? after repeated use, will the effectiveness of Prozac in treating PMS change? why is Prozac not effective for some women?

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Editorial, Prozac (Medication), Serotonin

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