---
title: What is known about the causes and treatment of premenstrual syndrome?
description: PMS affects 3-5% of women and appears to be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals called neuroactive steroids. Newer antidepressants show excellent effect
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-current-approach-2005/
---

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- What is known about the causes and treatment of premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2005

# What is known about the causes and treatment of premenstrual syndrome?

PMS affects 3-5% of women and appears to be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals called neuroactive steroids. Newer antidepressants show excellent effectiveness for treating both physical and emotional PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Not a specific study population, this is a literature review

## What they did

Literature review examining current understanding of PMS causes, diagnosis, and treatment approaches from a neuroendocrinology perspective.

## What they found

PMS is characterized by cyclical physical and mood symptoms. Recent advances in understanding brain chemistry suggest that an imbalance of neuroactive steroids causes PMS symptoms. Newer antidepressants have demonstrated excellent effectiveness in treating both somatic (physical) and emotional symptoms of PMS.

## What it means for you

Scientific understanding of PMS is advancing, showing it has a biological basis in brain chemistry rather than being purely psychological. Antidepressants that work on serotonin appear to be an effective treatment option. This is a review article summarizing existing literature rather than new research, so it does not compare specific medications or details about how well they work.

3-5%

Percentage of women affected by PMS

## About the study

Original title [Premenstrual syndrome--current approach] Authors Wiecheć M, Klimek M Journal Przeglad lekarski Year 2005 Study design Review What was tested None (literature review) Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16786775/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16786775/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[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

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Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Guideline, 2023

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