---
title: What are the medication options for treating PMS? | Niyora
description: PMS can be treated with hormonal medications that alter the menstrual cycle, mood drugs, diuretics for fluid retention, and pain relievers for headaches. Trea
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pharmacologic-strategies-for-managing-premenstrual-syndrome-1993/
---

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- What are the medication options for treating PMS?

Review, 1993

# What are the medication options for treating PMS?

PMS can be treated with hormonal medications that alter the menstrual cycle, mood drugs, diuretics for fluid retention, and pain relievers for headaches. Treatment should start with simpler measures and consider side effects.

 Moderate study design

Literature review (not a study of specific individuals)

## What they did

Literature review of PMS diagnosis and pharmacological management, examining different medication strategies and treatment approaches.

## What they found

Treatment options include hormonal medications (transdermal estrogen, cyclic oral progesterone, oral contraceptives, danazol, GnRH agonists), psychotropic medications (fluoxetine, clomipramine, alprazolam), diuretics for fluid retention, bromocriptine or tamoxifen for breast pain, and pain relievers for headaches. Two approaches exist: symptom-oriented management or modification of the menstrual cycle.

## What it means for you

Multiple effective treatments exist for PMS but the choice depends on which symptoms are most bothersome and which side effects a woman can tolerate. Medication should only be started after simpler measures have failed.

2

Treatment approaches: symptom-oriented or cycle modification

## About the study

Original title Pharmacologic strategies for managing premenstrual syndrome Authors Moline ML Journal Clinical pharmacy Year 1993 Study design Review What was tested Various medications including hormonal treatments, psychotropic drugs, diuretics, and pain relievers Read the paper [doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/50.4.815](https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/50.4.815)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2006

What treatments work for premenstrual disorders?

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What treatments actually help with PMS?

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What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Systematic review, 2022

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

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