Rola hormonów steroidowych i neurosteroidów w przedmiesiączkowych zaburzeniach dysforycznych (PMDD) i zespole napięcia przedmiesiączkowego (PMS)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) are disorders that negatively affect the quality of life of many women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of steroid hormones and neurosteroids in their pathophysiology. Particular attention was paid to the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that may explain the increased sensitivity to fluctuations in steroid hormones, such as progesterone and estrogens. Based on the literature review, it can be concluded that allopregnanolone (ALLO), a metabolite of progesterone, plays a significant role in exacerbating symptoms through interactions with the GABAA receptor and changes in its subunit expression, and appears to play a key role in PMDD and PMS. The impact of stress and cortisol levels on symptom intensity and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis were also discussed. Interactions between steroid sex hormones and stress-related factors seem particularly important in the development of these disorders. A better understanding of these mechanisms may lead to the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The use of hormonal and psychopharmacological interventions that take these mechanisms into account may significantly improve the quality of life of women affected by PMDD and PMS.