Randomised trial, 2010

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Several treatments reduce PMS symptoms according to controlled studies: SSRIs, some birth control pills, hormone injections, calcium, chasteberry, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, about 40% of women don't respond to current treatments.

Strong study design Reproductive-age women with PMS (from reviewed studies)

What they did

Reviewed published studies from PubMed about PMS treatments, focusing on controlled trials and meta-analyses that compared treatments to placebo.

What they found

Antidepressants called SSRIs reduce PMS symptoms compared to placebo. Some birth control pills and hormone injections showed effectiveness, especially for women wanting both contraception and symptom relief. Non-medication treatments that worked included calcium supplements, chasteberry, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, about 40% of women with PMS do not respond to currently available treatments.

What it means for you

Many women can be helped with available treatments, but new options are needed for the 40% who don't respond. The review covered studies on reproductive-age women from different populations.

25%

Women who may need treatment for PMS

40%

Women who don't respond to current treatments

About the study

Original title: Therapeutic management of premenstrual syndrome
Authors: Freeman EW
Journal: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
Year: 2010
Study design: Randomised trial
What was tested: SSRIs, some birth control pills, hormone injections, calcium supplements, chasteberry, cognitive-behavioral therapy
Read the paper: doi.org/10.1517/14656566.2010.509344

Topics

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)Cognition, concentration and memory SSRIs and antidepressants Oral contraceptives and drospirenone GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression Cognitive behavioral therapy Diet and nutrition Calcium Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)Other herbal medicine

Review, 2015