--- title: Can traditional Chinese medicine help treat PMDD? | Niyora description: This review suggests that traditional Chinese medicine approaches like herbal medicine and acupuncture may help PMDD symptoms and might have fewer side effect url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/integrative-management-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-the-role-of-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can traditional Chinese medicine help treat PMDD? Review, 2026 # Can traditional Chinese medicine help treat PMDD? This review suggests that traditional Chinese medicine approaches like herbal medicine and acupuncture may help PMDD symptoms and might have fewer side effects than standard medications. However, more rigorous research is needed before it can become a standard treatment. Moderate study design Various populations from clinical trials, animal studies, and pharmacological research on PMDD ## What they did This is a narrative review that examined clinical trials, animal studies, and pharmacological studies to see whether and how traditional Chinese medicine treats PMDD and compared it to conventional treatments like SSRIs. ## What they found PMDD affects 3 to 8 percent of women of reproductive age. Traditional Chinese medicine approaches may work by addressing what TCM calls liver dysfunction, which may align with modern biological understanding. TCM may have few side effects and allows individualized treatment based on the person's specific pattern of symptoms. ## What it means for you Traditional Chinese medicine could be a potential option for women with PMDD who do not tolerate or respond to standard medications, but the evidence is not yet strong enough to recommend it as a first-line treatment. Major limitations include insufficient rigorous evidence, lack of standardized treatment protocols, and need for better ways to measure effectiveness. 3-8% women of reproductive age with PMDD ## About the study Original title Integrative Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine Authors Xu M, Chen J Journal Depression and anxiety Year 2026 Study design Review What was tested None; review of studies testing traditional Chinese medicine (herbal medicine and acupuncture) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1155/da/1262387](https://doi.org/10.1155/da/1262387) Original abstract Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), affecting 3%-8% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms during the luteal phase, primarily driven by neuroendocrine sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations and dysregulation of central neurotransmitter systems. Genetic predisposition and environmental stressors contribute to its onset. Although conventional treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and hormonal therapies offer symptom relief, they are often accompanied by adverse effects and limited long-term efficacy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) posits that the core pathogenesis of PMDD lies in the dysfunction of liver's conveyance and dispersion, which may consistent with modern biological research evidence. TCM approaches, represented by Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, may alleviate symptoms of PMDD by targeting and modulating its core modern pathogenic mechanisms. With its few side effects and the unique advantage of individualized treatment based on syndrome differentiation, TCM holds the potential to become a mainstream therapeutic option for PMDD. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from clinical trials, animal and pharmacological studies to explore the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of PMDD and compares these approaches with conventional therapies. Nonetheless, the integration of TCM into mainstream practice for PMDD is still hampered by challenges such as insufficient evidence-based medical data. Research in TCM focusing on biomarker identification, establishment of standardized treatment protocols, and refinement of efficacy evaluation systems is expected to drive its evolution into a mainstream treatment option for PMDD. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Acupuncture and acupressure](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-acupuncture/) 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 Study, 2022 What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2024 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? Systematic review, 2022 What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Systematic review, 2014 Do acupuncture and herbal medicine help PMS or PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2026 What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗