---
title: What causes PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: The authors review four different theories about PMS based on hormones, heightened sensitivity, mood disorders, or problems with state regulation, but conclud
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/models-for-the-development-and-expression-of-symptoms-in-premenstrual-syndrome-1989/
---

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- What causes PMS symptoms?

Cohort study, 1989

# What causes PMS symptoms?

The authors review four different theories about PMS based on hormones, heightened sensitivity, mood disorders, or problems with state regulation, but conclude that no single explanation has been proven.

 Early or limited evidence

Not specified; theoretical review

## What they did

Literature review summarizing evidence for different theoretical models explaining how PMS develops and manifests.

## What they found

Four proposed models identified: biochemical or endocrine models, symptom exaggeration or special sensitivity models, PMS as an affective disorder variant, and PMS as a disorder of state regulation. The review notes that PMS has no consistently observed biochemical or psychological markers.

## What it means for you

PMS is likely complex with multiple possible causes, not a single explanation. The main limitation is that this is a 1989 review of theoretical arguments rather than new research data.

4

proposed theoretical models

## About the study

Original title Models for the development and expression of symptoms in premenstrual syndrome Authors Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ Journal The Psychiatric clinics of North America Year 1989 Study design Cohort study What was tested None; literature review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0193-953x(18)30451-9](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0193-953x(18)30451-9)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)

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