Review, 2004
How are PMS and perimenopause different, and how should they be treated?
The two conditions have different causes: perimenopause comes from falling estrogen, while PMS comes from progesterone after ovulation. Treatment is difficult because estrogen helps perimenopause but requires added progestogen, which can trigger PMS symptoms again.
What they did
Clinical review of the differences and similarities between PMS and perimenopause and discussion of treatment challenges when both occur together.
What they found
Perimenopause arises from falling estrogen with irregular ovulation and is relieved by estrogen. Premenstrual syndrome results from ovulation and appears due to progesterone produced afterward. Estrogen treats both conditions but requires progestogen to prevent cancer risk, which can return PMS symptoms.
What it means for you
Women with both PMS and perimenopause face a treatment puzzle. Doctors need to carefully choose medications that help both conditions without triggering one while treating the other.
About the study
- Original title
- PMS in the perimenopause
- Authors
- Hassan I, Ismail KM, O'Brien S
- Journal
- The journal of the British Menopause Society
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None (review of treatment options)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1258/1362180042721111
Topics
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