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.
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