---
title: What causes premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder, and what are the best treatments?
description: This review finds that PMS and PMDD involve hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry changes, particularly serotonin and GABA. Current treatments (SSRIs and
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-disorders-premenstrual-syndrome-and-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2023/
---

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- What causes premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder, and what are the best treatments?

Cohort study, 2023

# What causes premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder, and what are the best treatments?

This review finds that PMS and PMDD involve hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry changes, particularly serotonin and GABA. Current treatments (SSRIs and oral contraceptives) help some women but not all, and the exact causes remain unknown.

 Moderate study design

Review article synthesizing research on PMS and PMDD

## What they did

The author reviewed the medical literature on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, synthesizing current knowledge and identifying gaps between research and clinical practice.

## What they found

The review finds that hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry involving serotonin and GABA appear involved in PMS and PMDD, though precise causes remain unknown. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and oral contraceptives are current main treatments but are insufficient for many women. New treatments are being studied. There is a gap between research (which uses daily symptom diaries) and actual clinical practice.

## What it means for you

We understand that hormones and brain chemistry are involved in PMS and PMDD, but we do not yet know exactly how they cause symptoms. Current medications work for some women but not all. There is a gap between research findings and actual clinical practice, where symptom tracking tools are often not used.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual disorders: Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Takeda T Journal The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Year 2023 Study design Cohort study What was tested Not applicable for review article Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/jog.15484](https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.15484)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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