State and trait serotonergic abnormalities in women with dysphoric premenstrual syndromes

Three to eight percent of women of reproductive age suffer from dysphoric premenstrual disorder (PMS). Although the exact pathophysiology of this disorder is not known, serotonergic dysregulation appears to be involved. In this article, we review and summarize the current data on changes in serotonergic parameters in women with dysphoric PMS and emphasize the distinction between state-related abnormalities which are present only during the symptomatic late-luteal phase and trait abnormalities which are present even during non-symptomatic phases of the menstrual cycle. The notion of diversified serotonergic systems that are selectively affected by fluctuations in gonadal hormones is discussed in the context of PMS as well as other dysphorias.