title: Pre-menstrual syndrome--are gonadotropins the cause of the condition?
abstract: It is proposed that premenstrual syndrome results from the action of elevated gonadotropin levels in various tissues of body other than their natural target organs. These levels are derived from an increased sensitivity to estrogen after pregnancy, childbirth, etc., particularly with respect to the positive feedback on gonadotropin release from the pituitary. Estrogen in conjunction with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) releases excessive amounts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) at ovulation and in the premenstrual phase (post-menopausal patients have greatly elevated gonadotropins and can also demonstrate cyclic symptoms). Gonadotropin action via adenylate cyclase in the adrenal cortex elevates cortisol, while antagonism of parathyroid hormone action on bone gives rise to hypocalcemia. The physiological and psychological symptoms may thereby be explained.
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D004967:Estrogens; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D011453:Prostaglandins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases