---
title: What causes PMS and how is it treated? | Niyora
description: The exact cause of PMS is not known, but it is linked to changes in brain chemicals like serotonin and to how the body handles sex hormones. Because the cause
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-2002-967d17/
---

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- What causes PMS and how is it treated?

Study, 2002

# What causes PMS and how is it treated?

The exact cause of PMS is not known, but it is linked to changes in brain chemicals like serotonin and to how the body handles sex hormones. Because the cause is unclear, treatment is tailored to each person's main symptoms rather than following one fixed approach.

 Early or limited evidence

Women of reproductive age with PMS, described in general terms.

## What they did

This is a general overview piece describing what PMS is, the ideas doctors have about what causes it, and the range of treatments used.

## What they found

PMS involves repeated mental symptoms, such as irritability, low mood, trouble concentrating, and anxiety, plus physical symptoms like weight gain, breast tenderness, and fluid retention, in the second half of the cycle, easing once a period starts. About 2 to 3% of women of reproductive age are severely affected. Possible causes discussed include brain serotonin changes, sex hormones acting on the brain, high aldosterone activity, changes in natural opioid levels, and short-term rises in prolactin. Treatments mentioned include talk therapy, psychiatric medicines, aldosterone-blocking drugs, GnRH-analogue drugs, and the contraceptive pill.

## What it means for you

PMS is common but only severely disabling for a small share of women, and there is no single known cause, so no single best treatment. Because this is a general overview rather than a new study, it does not test any treatment directly or give a sense of how well each option works.

2 to 3%

Women of reproductive age severely affected by PMS

## About the study

Original title [Premenstrual syndrome] Authors Breckwoldt M, Keck Ch Journal Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique Year 2002 Study design Study What was tested None tested directly; the paper discusses possible causes and existing treatment options. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1024/0040-5930.59.4.183](https://doi.org/10.1024/0040-5930.59.4.183)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[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.

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