Cohort study, 2023
What causes premenstrual syndrome and dysphoric disorder, and what are the best treatments?
This review finds that PMS and PMDD involve hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry changes, particularly serotonin and GABA. Current treatments (SSRIs and oral contraceptives) help some women but not all, and the exact causes remain unknown.
What they did
The author reviewed the medical literature on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, synthesizing current knowledge and identifying gaps between research and clinical practice.
What they found
The review finds that hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry involving serotonin and GABA appear involved in PMS and PMDD, though precise causes remain unknown. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and oral contraceptives are current main treatments but are insufficient for many women. New treatments are being studied. There is a gap between research (which uses daily symptom diaries) and actual clinical practice.
What it means for you
We understand that hormones and brain chemistry are involved in PMS and PMDD, but we do not yet know exactly how they cause symptoms. Current medications work for some women but not all. There is a gap between research findings and actual clinical practice, where symptom tracking tools are often not used.
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual disorders: Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Takeda T
- Journal
- The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
- Year
- 2023
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- Not applicable for review article
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/jog.15484
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2024
What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?
Review, 2024
What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?
Guideline, 2023
How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?
Systematic review, 2022
What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?
Review, 2018
What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?
Review, 2017
What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?