Review, 2003
What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?
There is no single best treatment. For mild PMS, lifestyle changes help. For moderate symptoms, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and sertraline are most effective. Calcium and evening primrose oil may offer modest benefit.
What they did
This is a review article summarizing research on premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including their causes, symptoms, and evidence for different treatments.
What they found
PMS and PMDD cause many symptoms including depression, mood swings, belly pain, breast tenderness, headache, and tiredness. For mild cases, recommended lifestyle changes are healthy diet, reduced sodium and caffeine, exercise, and stress reduction. Using a symptom diary helps diagnosis. Calcium and evening primrose oil may offer modest benefit. Fluoxetine and sertraline (SSRIs) are the most effective medicines. Prostaglandin inhibitors and diuretics may provide some relief. Progesterone, estrogen, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, and androgenic agents have only weak evidence supporting them.
What it means for you
There is no single cause or cure for PMS. Different approaches work for different women. Most women improve with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication chosen for their specific symptoms. Finding the right treatment takes time and trying more than one option.
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Dickerson LM, Mazyck PJ, Hunter MH
- Journal
- American family physician
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None. This is a review article.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.curobgyn.2004.09.003
Topics
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