---
title: What is the best approach to treating PMS? | Niyora
description: Start with reassurance, dietary changes, and regular exercise. If that does not work, add vitamin B6, and optionally vitamin E or zinc. If still not effective
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-tactics-for-intervention-1985/
---

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- What is the best approach to treating PMS?

Review, 1985

# What is the best approach to treating PMS?

Start with reassurance, dietary changes, and regular exercise. If that does not work, add vitamin B6, and optionally vitamin E or zinc. If still not effective, add a diuretic or natural progesterone. For very resistant cases, bromocriptine or danazol may be considered.

 Early or limited evidence

General review of PMS treatment

## What they did

This is a review article summarizing treatment tactics for PMS based on published literature and clinical experience.

## What they found

PMS is very common and usually treatable. For most patients, reassurance, diet changes, and exercise are sufficient. Various medications can be added if initial treatment fails. Dietary changes may take 3 to 6 months to show maximum benefit.

## What it means for you

Treatment should be individualized based on what works for each patient. Lifestyle measures should be tried first. Diuretics are easier to use and less expensive than progesterone. The research quality on most treatments is mixed, so recommendations are based partly on clinical experience.

3-6 months

time for dietary therapy to work fully

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome. Tactics for intervention Authors Havens C Journal Postgraduate medicine Year 1985 Study design Review What was tested Multiple treatment options reviewed Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/00325481.1985.11699006](https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.1985.11699006)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[Vitamin E](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-e/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 1998

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Review, 1991

What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?

Study, 2002

Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence?

Review, 1982

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 2010

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

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