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.
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
Topics
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?