---
title: What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated? | Niyora
description: PMS is caused by abnormal responses to normal hormone changes during the menstrual cycle. Treatment includes lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and med
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/evaluation-and-management-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-2001/
---

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- What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?

Review, 2001

# What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?

PMS is caused by abnormal responses to normal hormone changes during the menstrual cycle. Treatment includes lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and medications. SSRIs are the first-line treatment for PMDD, and calcium supplements may help.

 Strong study design

Women of childbearing age with PMS or PMDD

## What they did

Systematic review of published literature from 1966-2001 examining the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for PMS and PMDD. The review searched MEDLINE and included additional references from retrieved articles.

## What they found

PMS affects up to 40% of women of childbearing age with symptoms including mood swings, tension, anger, irritability, headache, bloating, and increased appetite. Approximately 5% of women with PMS have the more severe PMDD. No tests confirm PMS or PMDD. Causes are likely abnormal responses to normal hormone changes. Treatments include lifestyle interventions, hormonal agents, psychotropic drugs, and calcium supplements.

## What it means for you

PMS is very common but treatable through multiple approaches. However, the wide variety of symptoms and treatments shows the condition is complex and not fully understood. This summarizes other studies rather than presenting new research.

40%

of women of childbearing age with PMS

5%

of women with PMS have PMDD

1966-2001

time period of reviewed studies

## About the study

Original title Evaluation and management of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Frackiewicz EJ, Shiovitz TM Journal Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996) Year 2001 Study design Review What was tested Lifestyle changes, SSRIs, hormonal agents, calcium supplements Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s1086-5802(16)31257-8](https://doi.org/10.1016/s1086-5802(16)31257-8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Case-control study, 2018

Do women with PMDD crave different foods than healthy women?

Review, 2003

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2002

What treatments work for PMDD?

Randomised trial, 1995

Is paroxetine better than other antidepressants for treating severe PMS?

Randomised trial, 1993

Does clomipramine taken only during the luteal phase help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2024

Does what you eat affect PMS symptoms?

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