---
title: What causes premenstrual syndrome and how is it treated? | Niyora
description: PMS is caused by an abnormal brain response to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Treatment depends on severity and symptoms, ranging from lifestyle
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-formerly-premenstrual-syndrome-2000/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- What causes premenstrual syndrome and how is it treated?

Review, 2000

# What causes premenstrual syndrome and how is it treated?

PMS is caused by an abnormal brain response to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. Treatment depends on severity and symptoms, ranging from lifestyle changes to medications that increase serotonin and norepinephrine or suppress hormonal changes.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

Review article summarizing research on PMS definition and treatment approaches.

## What they found

Better definition and strict research criteria have enabled development of targeted treatments tailored to individual symptom severity and specific symptom patterns.

## What it means for you

PMS is a real clinical condition with specific causes, not just normal monthly variation. Treatments can be individualized based on what symptoms most affect each woman. This is a review that summarizes existing research rather than new findings.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (Formerly Premenstrual Syndrome) Authors Reid RL Journal MDText.com, Inc., South Dartmouth (MA) Year 2000 Study design Review What was tested Lifestyle changes and medical treatments Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25905274/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25905274/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)

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.

## Related studies

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMDD among female medical students in Vietnam?

Survey study, 2023

How common are PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and depression in rural adolescent girls?

Review, 2002

What treatments work for PMDD?

Survey study, 2025

How common are PMS and PMDD among female university students?

Review, 2025

How does the menstrual cycle affect psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗