Review, 2009
What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options?
PMDD affects an estimated 5-8% of women and causes severe mood and physical symptoms. The cause involves individual sensitivity to hormonal changes. Treatments include serotonin antidepressants, medications that stop ovulation, and certain newer birth control pills.
What they did
This is a review article on PMDD research and treatment options.
What they found
PMDD affects an estimated 5-8% of premenopausal women and causes severe mood symptoms (irritability, depression, tension, mood swings) and physical symptoms (breast tenderness, bloating) that affect work and social functioning. Individual sensitivity to cyclical hormone changes may cause these symptoms. Treatments include serotonin antidepressants (taken intermittently or throughout the cycle), medications that suppress ovulation, and newer oral contraceptives with novel progestins.
What it means for you
PMDD is a biological condition linked to hormone sensitivity, not a personal failing. Multiple effective treatment approaches exist.
5-8%
premenopausal women with PMDD
About the study
- Original title
- Update on research and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Cunningham J, Yonkers KA, O'Brien S et al.
- Journal
- Harvard review of psychiatry
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Various treatments: antidepressants, ovulation-suppressing medications, new birth control pills
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1080/10673220902891836
Topics
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