Review, 1989
How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated?
Daily symptom diaries kept for at least two months are essential for accurate diagnosis. Treatment focuses on reassurance and stress management rather than correcting a single underlying problem, since the cause is unclear.
What they did
Literature review of how to diagnose and treat premenstrual syndrome.
What they found
Diagnosis requires a full history covering reproductive, psychological, and social factors plus daily diaries for at least two months. Symptom timing, not type, is essential. Patients may have classical PMS or other conditions like dysmenorrhea and cyclical breast disease. Treatment focuses on reassurance, stress management, and general well-being. Many biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors may be involved. Treatments tried include vitamins, prostaglandin inhibitors, and hormonal therapies.
What it means for you
Accurate diagnosis of PMS requires time and effort to document symptoms. Many conditions can mimic PMS, so careful evaluation is needed. The cause is unknown and likely multifactorial, so treatment should address stress and overall health rather than targeting a single problem.
2 months
Minimum duration for keeping daily symptom diaries for diagnosis
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Sampson GA
- Journal
- Bailliere's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Reassurance, stress management, vitamins, prostaglandin inhibitors, and hormonal therapies
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0950-3552(89)80060-4
Topics
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