Survey study, 1998
Should doctors use hormone blood tests to diagnose premenstrual syndrome?
No, according to these experts. Hormone tests are irrelevant for PMS. They believe PMS relates to other factors we haven't identified yet, not hormone levels.
What they did
The authors reviewed existing thinking about whether hormone tests should be used to diagnose menstrual cycle-related mood problems.
What they found
Hormone tests are necessary for perimenopausal depression but irrelevant for PMS. The authors suggest these conditions are better explained by contextual factors rather than hormone excesses or deficiencies.
What it means for you
This is expert opinion, not a research study, so it's based on existing thinking rather than new data. It argues against routine hormone testing for PMS diagnosis.
About the study
- Original title
- Hormone measures in reproductive endocrine-related mood disorders: diagnostic issues
- Authors
- Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ, Roca CA
- Journal
- Psychopharmacology bulletin
- Year
- 1998
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9803756/
Topics
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