To Establish Whether Individuals With Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Demonstrate a Different Luteal-phase Sex Hormone Profile and Ratio Compared With Asymptomatic Controls.

Summary

The aim of this project is to compare the ovarian hormone levels 7 days after ovulation and progesterone:oestradiol ratios between PMDD individuals and a control cohort (case control study).

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

* Aged 18-45 years old (adults but less than the typical perimenopausal age so there is not added bias/variable)
* Regular menstrual cycles (21-35 days for the last 3 months)
* Willing and able to complete a questionnaire (no new clinical diagnosis given)
* Use home urine LH test strips to detect ovulation
* Attend a single in person on site in Lancaster mid luteal blood test sample appointment (approx 7 days post LH surge)
* Provide written informed consent
* Have sufficient English language skills to understand the patient information
* Be either in Group 1 or group 2 Group 1 (PMDD group ie case group) - self reported prior diagnosis of PMDD made by a healthcare professional (GP, psychiatrist, gynaecologist) Group 2 (Control group ie comparison group) - no prior diagnosis of PMDD made by a healthcare professional and no history of clinically significant premenstrual mood symptoms on screening

Exclusion criteria

* Current use or use in the last 3 months of hormonal contraception such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, the progestogen only pill, the implant, the injection, hormonal coil (Mirena, Kyleena) or patch/ring.
* Current use or use in the last 3 months of any hormone replacement therapy (e.g. combined oestrogen and progesterone, oestrogen and Mirena coil combination, oestrogen alone if had a hysterectomy, or progesterone alone) or GnRH analogues use
* On a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with a recent initiation or dose change within the last 3 months
* Pregnant, breastfeeding or within 3 months post partum
* Irregular menstrual cycles (outside the 21-35 day window)
* Surgical menopause
* Premature ovarian insufficiency
* Other endocrine disorders e.g. uncontrolled thyroid disease, high prolactin, cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome)
* Regular systemic steroid use or use of other medications known to affect sex hormone within the last 3 months
* Severe mental health issues that impair consent or participation
* Needle phobic so that venepuncture is intolerable
* The use of the emergency contraceptive pill either 3 months prior to the study or during the study.

Conditions2

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