Review, 1992
What causes PMS and how is it treated?
PMS is caused by changes in hormone levels affecting brain chemicals like serotonin. New treatments that have been tested in careful studies are now available.
Moderate study design Review of PMS research
What they did
Review of scientific research on PMS causes, diagnosis, and treatments.
What they found
PMS is caused by the interaction of cyclic estrogen and progesterone changes with multiple body systems, especially neurotransmitters. Serotonin appears especially important. Specific treatments have been developed that work in careful and reproducible studies.
What it means for you
Our understanding of PMS has improved and there are now proven treatments available. The main limit is that this reviews existing research rather than presenting new findings.
About the study
- Original title
- Assessment and management of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Mortola JF
- Journal
- Current opinion in obstetrics & gynecology
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None (literature review)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00001703-199212000-00017