---
title: Do doctors diagnose and treat PMS the same way in different countries?
description: No. Doctors in different countries use very different treatments: North America and the UK favour antidepressants called SSRIs, while France uses hormones and
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/diagnosing-and-treating-premenstrual-syndrome-in-five-western-nations-2009/
---

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- Do doctors diagnose and treat PMS the same way in different countries?

Survey study, 2009

# Do doctors diagnose and treat PMS the same way in different countries?

No. Doctors in different countries use very different treatments: North America and the UK favour antidepressants called SSRIs, while France uses hormones and painkillers and Germany uses a plant extract. Few doctors diagnose PMS at all despite how common it is.

 Early or limited evidence

Office-based medical practice in five Western nations

## What they did

Researchers analysed health-care practice data from five Western countries to see how often doctors diagnosed PMS or PMDD and what medicines they prescribed.

## What they found

Relatively few doctors in any country diagnose PMS despite significant differences between countries. Women diagnosed with PMS usually receive medication regardless of the type of doctor they see. North America and UK doctors follow guidelines recommending SSRIs (antidepressants). French doctors use hormones and pain relief medicines. German doctors commonly prescribe Vitex agnus-castus, a plant extract.

## What it means for you

Treatment depends heavily on what country you are in, not just on medical evidence. The study looked only at practice patterns in five Western countries and does not explain why these differences exist.

5

countries studied

## About the study

Original title Diagnosing and treating premenstrual syndrome in five western nations Authors Weisz G, Knaapen L Journal Social science & medicine (1982) Year 2009 Study design Survey study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.01.036](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.01.036)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/)

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.

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