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.
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
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2007
What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?
Review, 2006
What treatments work for premenstrual disorders?
Review, 1998
What treatments actually help with PMS?
Review, 1991
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?