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.
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
Topics
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?