Non-randomised trial, 1991
What PMS symptoms are most distressing and what treatments help?
Psychological symptoms like mood changes were most distressing. Most women tried multiple treatments but found none particularly helpful, though many felt alternative medicine was more effective than standard medicine.
What they did
Researchers invited women with PMS symptoms to complete postal questionnaires about their symptoms and treatments tried. They analyzed responses from 658 women.
What they found
Most respondents were in their 30s and married with children. Over 60% had suffered symptoms for 5 or more years. Women reported both psychological and physical symptoms, but rated psychological symptoms as most distressing. Over 60% reported psychological distress and social problems. 84% had visited their GP, and many had seen specialists or alternative medicine providers. Most had tried multiple medications but no single treatment was found particularly helpful.
What it means for you
Women with PMS struggled to find effective conventional treatments, and many perceived alternative medicine as more helpful. The main limitation is that this was a self-selected sample of women who responded to an invitation, which may not represent all women with PMS.
658
women surveyed
60%+
with chronic symptoms (5+ years)
84%
visited GP for PMS
About the study
- Original title
- A survey of 658 women who report symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Corney RH, Stanton R
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic research
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(91)90042-m