---
title: Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work better than medication or relaxation for PMS?
description: Yes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy showed significant improvement after the first month that continued throughout and persisted at 3-month follow-up. Medicatio
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-comparison-of-hormone-therapy-coping-skills-training-and-relaxation-for-the-1991/
---

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- Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work better than medication or relaxation for PMS?

Randomised trial, 1991

# Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work better than medication or relaxation for PMS?

Yes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy showed significant improvement after the first month that continued throughout and persisted at 3-month follow-up. Medication and relaxation showed quick improvement that faded after 2 months.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS, approximately 10 percent of whom are severely affected during reproductive years

## What they did

A study comparing three approaches: cognitive-behavioral therapy (a psychological treatment focused on thoughts and behaviors), hormone medication, and relaxation exercises (control group). Women's symptoms were measured over 2 months with follow-up at 3 months.

## What they found

Hormone medication and relaxation showed rapid initial symptom improvement that decreased after 2 months. Cognitive-behavioral therapy showed significant benefits after the first treatment month that continued throughout and were maintained at the 3-month follow-up.

## What it means for you

Cognitive-behavioral therapy may provide longer-lasting relief than medication or relaxation for PMS. Main limits are that sample sizes were not reported and there was high dropout in the relaxation control group.

10%

of women severely affected by severe PMS

2

months when medication and relaxation benefits faded

3

months of follow-up for CBT benefits

## About the study

Original title A comparison of hormone therapy, coping skills training, and relaxation for the relief of premenstrual syndrome Authors Morse CA, Dennerstein L, Farrell E et al. Journal Journal of behavioral medicine Year 1991 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Cognitive-behavioral therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/bf00845105](https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00845105)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)

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