---
title: What are the symptoms and causes of PMS and PMDD? | Niyora
description: PMS involves physical and emotional symptoms before menstruation that resolve at the start. Over 40% experience emotional symptoms like irritability and tensi
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-and-dysphoric-premenstrual-syndrome-2014/
---

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- What are the symptoms and causes of PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2014

# What are the symptoms and causes of PMS and PMDD?

PMS involves physical and emotional symptoms before menstruation that resolve at the start. Over 40% experience emotional symptoms like irritability and tension, plus physical symptoms like breast tenderness and fatigue. PMDD is the most severe form.

 Early or limited evidence

General information about women who experience premenstrual symptoms

## What they did

This describes what PMS and PMDD are, how common they are, and what scientists think causes them.

## What they found

Emotional symptoms include irritability, tension, and mood swings. Physical symptoms include breast tenderness, fatigue, and abdominal bloating. These happen in the luteal phase (the time after ovulation, before menstruation) and stop quickly when menstruation starts or within a few days. Scientists believe the cause involves sex hormones and brain chemicals called GABA and serotonin, but the exact mechanism is not yet known. Treatment options include non-drug approaches and medications, with serotonin reuptake inhibitors as the first-line drug treatment.

## What it means for you

This shows that PMS affects a large number of women and likely involves hormone and brain chemistry changes. However, the exact cause is still being researched. The positive news is that several treatment options exist.

40%

women with emotional and physical PMS symptoms

## About the study

Original title [Premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric premenstrual syndrome] Authors Alba P, Rodríguez C Journal Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Year 2014 Study design Study Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545084/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545084/)

## 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/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Systematic review, 2022

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2015

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

Systematic review, 2012

What medications work best for PMDD?

Review, 2009

What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options?

Review, 2008

What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD?

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