Randomised trial, 2013
What treatments work for PMS and PMDD in teenagers?
At least 20% of teenagers experience moderate-to-severe premenstrual symptoms. Education, calcium, exercise, and stress reduction help mild cases, but severe PMS and PMDD usually need medication like SSRIs or hormonal contraceptives. Research on teenagers is limited.
What they did
Literature review summarizing research on premenstrual disorders in teenagers, including prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment options. The authors note that large randomized trials of medications specifically in adolescents have not yet been conducted.
What they found
At least 20% of adolescents experience moderate-to-severe premenstrual symptoms. PMDD prevalence in teenagers is likely equal to or higher than in adults. Lifestyle interventions (education, calcium intake, exercise, stress reduction) can improve mild PMS. Severe PMS and PMDD usually require medication: SSRIs (fluoxetine and escitalopram) are safe in teens, or hormonal contraceptives, or GnRH agonists.
What it means for you
Premenstrual disorders are common in teenagers and treatable with lifestyle changes for mild cases and medication for severe cases. The main limitation is that no large medication trials have been done specifically in teenagers, so treatment recommendations are adapted from adult studies.
20%
adolescents with moderate-to-severe symptoms
equal or higher
PMDD prevalence in teens versus adults
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and severe premenstrual syndrome in adolescents
- Authors
- Rapkin AJ, Mikacich JA
- Journal
- Paediatric drugs
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Various treatments reviewed: education, calcium, exercise, stress reduction, SSRIs, hormonal contraceptives, GnRH agonists
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s40272-013-0018-4
Topics
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