Interview study, 1997
Is PMDD different from PMS, and what causes it?
PMDD is a more specific diagnosis than PMS. It involves low serotonin and melatonin in the brain, and antidepressant SSRIs reduce symptoms according to rigorous studies.
What they did
This was a review of research on PMDD, examining how it is defined, how it develops, and how it responds to treatment with SSRIs.
What they found
Studies showed that people with PMDD have lower serotonin and melatonin metabolism compared to healthy women. Multiple rigorous studies reported that SSRIs reduced PMDD symptoms.
What it means for you
PMDD has a biological basis in brain chemistry, not just a label or psychological issue. This supports using SSRI medication as a treatment. The main limit is this is a review of other studies, not new research.
Low serotonin
Brain chemistry finding in PMDD
Low melatonin
Another brain chemistry difference
About the study
- Original title
- Psychobiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Parry BL
- Journal
- Seminars in reproductive endocrinology
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Interview study
- What was tested
- SSRIs (antidepressant medications)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1067968
Topics
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