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Premenstrual Syndrome PMS A (Anxiety): Overview
PMS-A is the most common PMS symptom category and is related most strongly to an estrogen excess and progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase. Symptom ratings correspond to the raised serum estrogen levels, and serum estrogen to progesterone ratios give the best correlation. There is no significant correlation of symptoms with the decreased progesterone levels.
The effects of these changes on mood and behavior are well documented: epinephrine triggers anxiety; norepinephrine, hostility and irritability; serotonin, at high levels, nervous tension, drowsiness, palpitations, water retention and inability to concentrate and perform. Dopamine is believed to counteract these three amines by inducing a feeling of relaxation and increasing mental alertness. It is of interest to note that a decreased dopamine level in the hypothalamus is also believed to be central to the hormonal imbalances found in polycystic ovarian disease.
Estrogens also affect mood by competing for pyridoxal-5-phosphate binding sites, stimulating hepatic tryptophan pyrolase (shunting away from serotonin synthesis), and decreasing glucose tolerance.
Causes and Development
Estrogens appear to affect mood by suppressing type A-monoamine oxidase (MAO) while enhancing type B-MAO. These enzymes are involved in the oxidation of biogenic amines - norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin - which have significant effects on mood and behavior. The net effect of estrogen on these MAOs is to increase the levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin (all normally deactivated by MAO-A) and decrease the levels of dopamine and phenylethylamine (both normally metabolized by MAO-B).The effects of these changes on mood and behavior are well documented: epinephrine triggers anxiety; norepinephrine, hostility and irritability; serotonin, at high levels, nervous tension, drowsiness, palpitations, water retention and inability to concentrate and perform. Dopamine is believed to counteract these three amines by inducing a feeling of relaxation and increasing mental alertness. It is of interest to note that a decreased dopamine level in the hypothalamus is also believed to be central to the hormonal imbalances found in polycystic ovarian disease.
Estrogens also affect mood by competing for pyridoxal-5-phosphate binding sites, stimulating hepatic tryptophan pyrolase (shunting away from serotonin synthesis), and decreasing glucose tolerance.
PMS A
Information On This Page
Signs and symptoms
Conditions that suggest it
Contributing risk factors
Conditions suggested by it
Recommendations
Signs, symptoms & indicators of Premenstrual Syndrome PMS A (Anxiety):
Symptoms - Reproductive - Female Cycle
Recommendations for Premenstrual Syndrome PMS A (Anxiety):
Hormone
Vitamins
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
| In one study, women received 50mg per day of vitamin B6 or a placebo for 3 months. Symptoms amongst these women included depression, irritability, tiredness, headache, breast tenderness and swollen abdomen/hands. At this dose depression, irritability and tiredness were the only symptoms to respond and they were reduced by 50%. [Gynecol Obstet Invest 1997;43(2): 120-124] |
KEY
Strong or generally accepted link:
is often a sign or symptom of
Definite or direct link:
increases risk of; suggests
Definitely or absolutely counter-indicates:
strongly contraindicates
May be useful:
may help with
Moderately useful:
often helps with
Very useful:
is highly recommended for
Last updated: Apr 25, 2013