No correlation of depression and anxiety to plasma estrogen and progesterone levels in patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Abstract

A number of studies have demonstrated the correlation of depression and anxiety to estrogen and progesterone in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but the findings are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of depression and anxiety to estrogen and progesterone concentrations in blood plasma in Taiwanese women with PMDD. A total of 43 women who met the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual diagnostic criteria for PMDD were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained for determination of estrogen and progesterone levels, and depression and anxiety ratings were summed for each subject during one menstrual cycle to obtain a premenstrual result (2-6 days before menses) and a postmenstrual result (menstrual cycle days 7-11). Anxiety was assessed using the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale-A and was also assessed by the patients themselves using the Trait Anxiety Inventory. Depression was rated using the 21-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale-D. Calculations were made to determine the relationships between hormonal changes and mood changes. There were no statistically significant correlations between depression or anxiety ratings and estrogen or progesterone concentrations.