---
title: What treatments work for PMDD and severe premenstrual symptoms?
description: This review examines evidence for many treatments including antidepressants, hormonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and herbal rem
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-evidence-based-evaluation-and-treatment-2018/
---

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- What treatments work for PMDD and severe premenstrual symptoms?

Review, 2018

# What treatments work for PMDD and severe premenstrual symptoms?

This review examines evidence for many treatments including antidepressants, hormonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies for PMDD. The review notes that many women with severe symptoms do not meet full PMDD criteria but still benefit from treatment.

 Moderate study design

Research review on women with PMDD and severe premenstrual symptoms

## What they did

A literature review that examined research on the diagnosis and treatment of PMDD, the most severe form of premenstrual symptoms. The review discusses diagnostic criteria established in the DSM-V in 2013 and evaluates evidence for various treatment approaches.

## What they found

Many patients with severe premenstrual symptoms do not meet the full criteria for PMDD diagnosis. The review identified treatments with supporting evidence including serotonergic therapy (antidepressants), hormonal treatments (such as birth control), lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies.

## What it means for you

Women with severe premenstrual symptoms have multiple treatment options supported by research, even if they do not meet the PMDD diagnosis. The main limitation is that this is a review summarizing other studies rather than new research, and specific effectiveness numbers are not provided.

2013

year DSM-V diagnostic criteria were established

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Syndrome: Evidence-based Evaluation and Treatment Authors Appleton SM Journal Clinical obstetrics and gynecology Year 2018 Study design Review What was tested Serotonergic therapy, hormonal treatment, lifestyle changes, herbal remedies (reviewed) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/grf.0000000000000339](https://doi.org/10.1097/grf.0000000000000339)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)

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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What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?

Review, 2015

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

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2004

What is PMDD and how is it treated?

Survey study, 2026

What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2022

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

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