ANSWER: Studies show that there is no evidence that establishes that low progesterone levels lead to the premenstrual syndrome or PMS in women. It is often hypothesized that PMS symptoms, specifically with regard to craving for sweets, are caused by low levels of progesterone in women. This is based on a study that showed that women who experienced premenstrual syndrome were found to have abnormally low levels of progesterone. Thus, progesterone has been recommended for the management of PMS symptoms. However, there is still no consistent evidence that directly links low progesterone levels as the cause of the premenstrual syndrome. In fact, the following studies show that there is no direct relation between these two variables, as will be shown below. Clinical Studies and Trials A review of ten clinical trials that focused on progesterone therapy in the treatment of PMS symptoms, wherein progesterone was administered in women who were low in the said hormone, show that there was no significant difference between administering progesterone and placebo. Another study which specifically examined the premenstrual syndrome symptoms of sweets and chocolate cravings tested whether or the drop in progesterone levels during the premenstrual period were the cause of such cravings. The [...]
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