---
title: What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: Many treatments have been studied for PMS, but researchers face a major challenge: there is no standard way to measure symptom severity, making it difficult t
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-2007/
---

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- What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Systematic review, 2007

# What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Many treatments have been studied for PMS, but researchers face a major challenge: there is no standard way to measure symptom severity, making it difficult to know which treatments truly work.

 Strong study design

Women with premenstrual syndrome of reproductive age

## What they did

Systematic review that searched 4 major medical databases up to November 2006 for all systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies on PMS treatment. 52 studies met inclusion criteria.

## What they found

The review examined 52 studies testing treatments including acupuncture, exercise, SSRIs, hormonal therapies, supplements, and surgery. Premenstrual symptoms occur in 95% of women of reproductive age, and severe debilitating symptoms occur in about 5%.

## What it means for you

Many options have been tested for PMS. However, because there is no standard way to measure symptom severity and because PMS is cyclical, it is difficult to compare which treatments actually work best. Talk to your doctor about what makes sense for your specific symptoms.

95%

of women experience some premenstrual symptoms

5%

of women experience severe debilitating PMS

52

studies reviewed

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome Authors Kwan I, Onwude JL Journal BMJ clinical evidence Year 2007 Study design Systematic review What was tested multiple treatments including drugs, hormones, psychological interventions, physical therapies, dietary supplements, and surgery Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s1744-1870(07)70008-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/s1744-1870(07)70008-2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Acupuncture and acupressure](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-acupuncture/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Evening primrose oil](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-evening-primrose/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Light therapy and sleep deprivation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-light-therapy/)[Magnesium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-magnesium/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)

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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