---
title: What does research say about diagnosing and treating PMS and PMDD?
description: This review explains that careful symptom tracking and ruling out other conditions are key to diagnosing PMS, and that some promising drug treatments exist fo
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-1998/
---

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- What does research say about diagnosing and treating PMS and PMDD?

Review, 1998

# What does research say about diagnosing and treating PMS and PMDD?

This review explains that careful symptom tracking and ruling out other conditions are key to diagnosing PMS, and that some promising drug treatments exist for PMDD, though it is unclear if they work as well for milder premenstrual symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with PMS or PMDD, discussed generally (no specific study sample)

## What they did

This is a review article (not a new study) summarizing the state of research on PMS and PMDD as of 1998, covering diagnosis methods and treatment options.

## What they found

The article states that better screening and diagnosis have allowed proper research into causes and treatments. Prospective daily symptom charting and thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation are needed to rule out other conditions. Several promising drug treatments have been studied for PMDD, but it is not yet known if these work for women with milder symptoms or for those whose premenstrual symptoms are really a flare-up of another underlying condition. Treatment may fail if an underlying condition is not addressed first.

## What it means for you

For readers, the key message is that an accurate diagnosis, built on daily symptom tracking and checking for other health issues, matters before starting treatment. As a review from 1998, it reflects older evidence and offers no new data of its own.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome Authors Pearlstein T, Stone AB Journal The Psychiatric clinics of North America Year 1998 Study design Review What was tested None tested directly; reviews existing diagnostic approaches and treatment research Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0193-953x(05)70024-1](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0193-953x(05)70024-1)

## Topics

[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Thyroid disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-thyroid/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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

Review, 2001

What are PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?

Study, 2026

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

Review, 1991

What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?

Systematic review, 2022

Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle?

Randomised trial, 2003

What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

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