---
title: How can doctors treat moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms?
description: This review describes multiple treatments: lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, birth control that suppresses ovulation, antidepressants, and anti
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/gynecological-management-of-premenstrual-symptoms-2010/
---

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- How can doctors treat moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms?

Review, 2010

# How can doctors treat moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms?

This review describes multiple treatments: lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, birth control that suppresses ovulation, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. Between 20-50% of women experience moderate to severe symptoms, and about 5% meet criteria for PMDD.

 Moderate study design

Research review on menstruating women with premenstrual symptoms and PMDD

## What they did

A literature review of research on the treatment of premenstrual symptoms and PMDD. The review examined evidence for various management approaches and discussed theories about the causes of premenstrual symptoms.

## What they found

Most menstruating women experience uncomfortable premenstrual symptoms. Between 20-50% report moderate to severe symptoms, and approximately 5% meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD. Premenstrual symptoms can be physical, emotional, behavioral, or a combination of these. Research has evaluated treatments including lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, birth control pills that suppress ovulation, antidepressant medications, and anti-anxiety medications.

## What it means for you

There are many treatment options available for premenstrual symptoms and PMDD, though the underlying causes are not fully understood. Women experiencing moderate to severe symptoms have multiple choices for treatment. The main limitation is that this is a review article, so it does not provide direct comparison of which treatments work best or for whom.

20-50%

proportion with moderate to severe symptoms

5%

proportion meeting PMDD criteria

## About the study

Original title Gynecological management of premenstrual symptoms Authors Shulman LP Journal Current pain and headache reports Year 2010 Study design Review What was tested Lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, ovulation-suppressing birth control, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications (reviewed) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0131-9](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0131-9)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)

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

Review, 2023

Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2012

What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2002

Is fluoxetine or cognitive-behavioral therapy more effective for PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2001

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Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2021

Can cognitive behavioral therapy treat PMS without medication?

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