Study, 2025
Can brain stimulation (rTMS) help reduce PMS symptoms?
A small study found that rTMS reduced depression and anxiety symptoms during the PMS phase. However, the study was very small with no control group, so more research is needed before we can be confident.
What they did
10 women with PMS were studied over 2 menstrual cycles. In the second cycle, they received 10 to 12 sessions of rTMS (a non-invasive brain stimulation) during the luteal phase. Symptoms in the second cycle were compared to the first cycle.
What they found
In the second cycle with rTMS, depression symptoms decreased. Anxiety symptoms also decreased. The treatment was well tolerated with no serious side effects.
What it means for you
rTMS might help with mood symptoms of PMS, especially in the middle and end of the menstrual cycle. This was a very small study with no comparison group and only 2 months of follow-up. Much larger, better-designed studies are needed before this can be recommended.
10
women in study
10 to 12
rTMS sessions
2
menstrual cycles studied
About the study
- Original title
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Management of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Prospective Pilot Study
- Authors
- Ramos CS, Monteiro DC, Alves da Silva EC et al.
- Journal
- The journal of ECT
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 10
- What was tested
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) - 10 to 12 sessions
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/yct.0000000000001216
Topics
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