---
title: What causes PMS and what are the treatment options? | Niyora
description: The cause of PMS remains unknown, though leading theories involve prostaglandins, endorphins, or progesterone deficiency. Treatments include education, diet,
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-1988-a2f40f/
---

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- What causes PMS and what are the treatment options?

Randomised trial, 1988

# What causes PMS and what are the treatment options?

The cause of PMS remains unknown, though leading theories involve prostaglandins, endorphins, or progesterone deficiency. Treatments include education, diet, exercise, and various medications. Most people with PMS can be helped.

 Moderate study design

Editorial review; no specific participants

## What they did

This editorial discusses what is known and unknown about PMS, the main theories about its causes, and current treatment options based on available research.

## What they found

PMS is controversial and poorly understood. Three main theories about causes are prostaglandin abnormalities, endorphin issues, or progesterone deficiency. Current treatments include education and counseling, dietary changes, regular exercise, vitamin supplements, diuretics, prostaglandin inhibitors, and progesterone. The author warns against unproven fad treatments.

## What it means for you

There is significant uncertainty about PMS, but doctors can still help patients. The main takeaway is that education, lifestyle changes, and rational medical treatment are important. This reflects the knowledge in 1988 before many modern treatments were studied.

3

Main theories about PMS causes (prostaglandins, endorphins, progesterone)

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome Authors Wickes SL Journal Primary care Year 1988 Study design Randomised trial Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0095-4543(21)01272-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0095-4543(21)01272-0)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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.

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