A psychoendocrine study of premenstrual tension syndrome. A model for endogenous depression?

We studied 42 women with severe Premenstrual Tension Syndrome (PMTS) and compared their clinical features and adrenocortical function with those seen in major depressive disorders. Self-report scales demonstrated that PMTS was very distressing, but the disturbance did not meet the RDC for Major Depressive Disorder -- endogenous subtype. Twenty-four hour urinary free cortisol estimation did not indicate cortisol hypersecretion and abnormal Dexamethasone Suppression Test results occurred much less frequently than is usual in endogenous depression. Adrenocortical function did not differ significantly between follicular and premenstrual phases. PMTS does not appear to be a psychoendocrine model for endogenous depression.