Review, 1993
Does PMS come from hormonal problems?
Probably not entirely. While ovarian hormones change during the cycle, research has not found a specific hormonal cause of PMS. The condition likely results from a combination of hormonal, psychological, and social factors.
What they did
This is a review article examining the evidence for whether endocrine (hormonal) factors cause premenstrual syndrome.
What they found
The cause of PMS remains unknown. Although ovarian hormones fluctuate cyclically, researchers have not identified the specific hormonal mechanism that causes PMS. Hormonal treatments do not consistently work. Psychological and social factors are important but are often considered less important than hormones.
What it means for you
PMS is probably not purely a hormonal disorder. Understanding PMS requires looking at hormones, psychology, and social factors together. The main limit is that this is a review article, so the conclusions depend on which studies the authors chose to discuss.
About the study
- Original title
- Is premenstrual syndrome an endocrine disorder?
- Authors
- Schagen van Leeuwen JH, te Velde ER, Koppeschaar HP et al.
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Not applicable. This is a review article.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674829309084433