Study, 2022
What causes premenstrual syndrome?
PMS involves problems with hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and a brain chemical called serotonin. Many factors likely contribute, not just one cause.
What they did
This is a review of research on what causes PMS and what increases the risk of developing it.
What they found
Several possible causes exist: hormone problems, allergies, water balance issues, overactive stress hormones, and emotional factors. Regardless of cause, hormone and brain chemical problems are always involved. Higher risk appears in people who are emotionally unstable, underweight, or do intellectual work, plus those with family history of PMS. Other risk factors include stress, previous gynecological problems, and mental illness.
What it means for you
PMS is complex and likely caused by multiple things working together rather than one single cause. This explains why different women respond to different treatments.
About the study
- Original title
- PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME IN THE MODERN SCIENCE
- Authors
- Dilafruz Khasanova
- Journal
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7445125
Original abstract
The results of a number of studies suggest that emotionally labile patients with ethnic physique, underweight, as well as women engaged in intellectual work are susceptible to PMS [6, 7] Among the risk factors for PMS are heredity, acute or chronic emo-tional stress, previous gynecological diseases, mental illness, mental and emotional stress, etc. [3, 5]. There are several theories that represent the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of PMS: hormonal, allergic, the theory of “water intoxication”, hyper adrenocortical activity and an increase in aldosterone, psychosomatic theory. However, regardless of the theoretical justification in PMS, secretion is always impaired main hormones: estrogens, progesterone, serotonin, regulating the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle [2, 3].
Reproduced under CC-BY.
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2026
Does mindfulness training reduce PMS symptoms and fear about childbirth?
Systematic review, 2025
Is there a link between stress, trauma, and premenstrual symptoms?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does caloric restriction and aerobic exercise improve PMS symptoms in obese women?
Cohort study, 2025
How common is PMS in Chinese teenage girls, and what factors are linked to it?
Review, 2025
How do stress hormone levels change during the menstrual cycle and how does this affect health?
Randomised trial, 2024
Does curcumin reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea?