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Systematic review, 2026

What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD?

Several cognitive behavioral therapies have been studied for PMS and PMDD, including CBT, mindfulness therapy, and acceptance therapy. The evidence is scattered and hasn't been systematically compared yet, so we don't know which approach works best.

Moderate study design Women of reproductive age with PMS or PMDD

What they did

Systematic mapping of all published research on cognitive-behavioral approaches for PMS and PMDD, looking at study designs, types of therapy, and outcomes measured.

What they found

The review identified multiple cognitive-behavioral approaches being studied for PMS and PMDD, including CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Schema Therapy.

What it means for you

There is a growing body of evidence that talking therapies can help PMS and PMDD symptoms. The main limitation is that these studies are diverse and scattered, so researchers haven't been able to synthesize them together into clear recommendations or compare which approach works best.

About the study

Original title
Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Scoping Review
Authors
Isaree Boonyingsathit, Chaiyun Sakulsriprasert
Year
2026
Study design
Systematic review
What was tested
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT, ACT, MBCT, DBT, CFT, Schema Therapy)
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) are common conditions among women of reproductive age that significantly impair daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and occupational or academic performance. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the impact of these conditions, the evidence base has expanded to include third-wave cognitive-behavioral approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Schema Therapy. However, the existing literature remains diverse and has not yet been systematically mapped. The purpose of this scoping review is to map the extent, range, and nature of research on cognitive-behavioral approaches for PMS and PMDD, including the types of study designs employed, cognitive and behavioral variables investigated, interventions evaluated, and outcomes assessed.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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