Are women with PMS more likely to have sexual dysfunction?

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and its more severe form - premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) constitute a significant health problem among women of reproductive age. These disorders include emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms that occur in the late luteal phase and disappear with the onset of menstrual bleeding. Objective: The aim of the study was to present the symptomatology of PMS and PMDD, their epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment, and to discuss their comorbidity with female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) and sexual pain disorders. Material and Methods: Five independent researchers conducted a review of the literature from the last ten years using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, employing the keywords “pms”, “pmdd” together with: “sexual dysfunction” and “sexology”. Results: PMS and PMDD are associated with an increased risk of sexual dysfunctions such as: hypolibidemia, anorgasmia and dyspareunia. The comorbidity is presumably due to shared hormonal predictors, dysregulation of the serotonergic system and psychosocial factors. Treatment includes a multidisciplinary approach, including pharmacotherapy, dietary interventions, and physiotherapeutic methods. Conclusions: PMS and PMDD may significantly affect women’s psychosexual functioning. Early diagnosis and comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment may improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the negative health consequences of these disorders.

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