---
title: What causes PMS and what are the main treatment options? | Niyora
description: The exact cause of PMS is still unknown, but inflammation and oxidative stress may be involved. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, vitamin and mi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-a-modern-view-on-the-problem-2025/
---

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- What causes PMS and what are the main treatment options?

Study, 2025

# What causes PMS and what are the main treatment options?

The exact cause of PMS is still unknown, but inflammation and oxidative stress may be involved. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, vitamin and mineral support, herbal medicine, and medications, with drospirenone-containing contraceptives being the first choice.

 Moderate study design

Review of PMS research and clinical practice

## What they did

Reviewed current research and clinical practice on PMS causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

## What they found

About 80% of women experience some premenstrual symptoms. Some have severe symptoms affecting quality of life, which is called PMDD. Both conditions are diagnosed by symptoms, not blood tests. Possible causes include inflammatory response and oxidative stress. First-line treatment is drospirenone-containing combined oral contraceptives. Second-line options include transdermal estradiol and cyclical gestogens during the second half of the menstrual cycle. To diagnose PMDD, women should record symptoms for at least 2 cycles.

## What it means for you

Since the cause of PMS is unclear, doctors work with each woman to find which treatment works best for her. PMDD is a more severe form that needs specific attention, and tracking symptoms helps confirm the diagnosis.

80%

Women experiencing premenstrual symptoms

≥2 cycles

Duration needed to record symptoms for PMDD diagnosis

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome: A modern view on the problem Authors E. V. Enkova, Olga V. Khoperskaya, V. V. Enkova et al. Journal Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council Year 2025 Study design Study What was tested Multiple treatments: oral contraceptives, hormones, herbal medicine, lifestyle changes, and micronutrients Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.21518/ms2024-556](https://doi.org/10.21518/ms2024-556)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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.

## Related studies

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Study, 2022

What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD?

Systematic review, 2023

What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?

Survey study, 2022

What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Systematic review, 2014

Do acupuncture and herbal medicine help PMS or PMDD symptoms?

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