Study, 1985
How should doctors diagnose and treat premenstrual syndrome?
Diagnosis requires tracking symptoms for three consecutive cycles to confirm they occur only after ovulation with a complete symptom-free week after menstruation. Treatment depends on whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe.
What they did
This is a discussion article about how to define, diagnose, and treat premenstrual syndrome. It reviews symptom patterns, diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches.
What they found
PMS symptoms commonly occur at three different timing patterns: during the late premenstruum only; at ovulation and during the premenstruum; or at ovulation, gradually increasing through the time after ovulation. Diagnosis depends on the timing of symptoms rather than the specific types present. Rational treatment programs are proposed for mild, moderate, and severe cases.
What it means for you
The key point is that diagnosis requires careful symptom tracking to confirm the timing, not just identifying which symptoms are present. The main limit is that this is a discussion of approaches rather than a study testing whether any specific treatment actually works.
3
Consecutive menstrual cycles required for diagnosis
1 week
Symptom-free period required after menstruation for diagnosis
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome: approaches to diagnosis and treatment
- Authors
- Simkin RJ
- Journal
- Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien
- Year
- 1985
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Not applicable
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21274209/