---
title: What causes PMS and how should different symptoms be treated?
description: PMS involves hormone problems and disruptions in brain chemical systems (GABA, serotonin, endorphins). Different symptoms may respond to different treatments:
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-tension-syndrome-or-premenstrual-dysphoria-1999/
---

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- What causes PMS and how should different symptoms be treated?

Study, 1999

# What causes PMS and how should different symptoms be treated?

PMS involves hormone problems and disruptions in brain chemical systems (GABA, serotonin, endorphins). Different symptoms may respond to different treatments: mood symptoms to medication, physical symptoms to progesterone or diuretics.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable - review article

## What they did

This is a review article synthesizing existing knowledge about PMS causes and treatments, not a new research study.

## What they found

Both hormone problems and brain chemical system disruptions contribute to PMS. An imbalance between GABA and progesterone-derived brain chemicals may explain symptoms. Different symptoms may respond better to different treatments.

## What it means for you

This presents a theoretical model of how PMS develops, not new research findings. It proposes that physical and mood-related symptoms may have different causes. The best treatments remain unclear because no single approach helps everyone.

## About the study

Original title [Premenstrual tension syndrome or premenstrual dysphoria] Authors Legros S, Foidart JM, Gaspard U et al. Journal Revue medicale de Liege Year 1999 Study design Study What was tested None Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10389469/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10389469/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[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, 2008

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2017

Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)?

Randomised trial, 2006

Do different types of PMS symptoms respond better to different medicines?

Case-control study, 2025

Do certain hormone-related brain chemicals predict how bad premenstrual depression and anxiety will be?

Review, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

Systematic review, 2013

Does Vitex (chaste tree) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

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