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.
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/
Topics
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