---
title: What is PMS and how is it treated? | Niyora
description: PMS is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that start 5 to 8 days before menstruation and disappear 34 to 48 hours after the period begins. Many treatm
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-1990-62b303/
---

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- What is PMS and how is it treated?

Review, 1990

# What is PMS and how is it treated?

PMS is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that start 5 to 8 days before menstruation and disappear 34 to 48 hours after the period begins. Many treatments including hormones, vitamins, and other medications can help.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS (general discussion, not a specific group studied)

## What they did

This is a review article discussing what PMS is, how it presents across different cultures, possible causes, and treatment options.

## What they found

PMS causes symptoms including headache, breast swelling, abdominal swelling, weight gain, irritability, fatigue, depression, and difficulty in relationships. These symptoms start 5 to 8 days before menstruation and disappear 34 to 48 hours after the period begins. Cultural background greatly influences how women experience these symptoms. Several treatments can provide relief, including adjusting estrogen and progesterone levels, using diuretics, taking anti-inflammatory medications, vitamin B6, and taking psychiatric medications. Most patients experience significant improvement with these treatments.

## What it means for you

This review confirms the typical timing and symptom pattern of PMS. Cultural background shapes how much women report their PMS symptoms. Different treatments may help different women, though the review does not compare which approaches work best for different groups.

5-8

days before menstruation when symptoms start

34-48

hours after period begins until symptoms disappear

## About the study

Original title [The premenstrual syndrome] Authors Thonet C Journal Revista medica de Chile Year 1990 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable - review article Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2152723/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2152723/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[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, 2013

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

Randomised trial, 2014

Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine?

Randomised trial, 2008

Does drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol birth control help PMDD?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 2003

What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

Study, 2002

Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence?

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