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.
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
Topics
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