Study, 1996
What causes PMS and what can treat it?
PMS appears to happen when cyclic changes in estrogen and progesterone interact with brain chemicals, particularly serotonin and GABA. Understanding this has led to treatments that work better than previous approaches.
What they did
Reviewed scientific research on what causes PMS and how to treat it.
What they found
PMS results from the interaction between cyclic hormone changes (estrogen and progesterone) and neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin and GABA appear to be especially important in this interaction. Understanding this has made it possible to develop treatments that have been proven effective in rigorous studies.
What it means for you
Understanding that PMS involves specific brain chemicals and hormones has changed treatment. Doctors can now use targeted approaches addressing serotonin and GABA rather than general remedies.
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Mortola JF
- Journal
- Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM
- Year
- 1996
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Understanding of biological basis of PMS and targeted treatments based on serotonin and GABA
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/1043-2760(96)00060-4