---
title: What does research say about what causes PMS and what treatments work?
description: A review of PMS research found no definitive cause and no universally effective treatment. Lifestyle approaches like diet, exercise, and support help many wom
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-current-knowledge-and-management-1989/
---

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- What does research say about what causes PMS and what treatments work?

Survey study, 1989

# What does research say about what causes PMS and what treatments work?

A review of PMS research found no definitive cause and no universally effective treatment. Lifestyle approaches like diet, exercise, and support help many women, while some medications like alprazolam and mefenamic acid help some, but progesterone therapy is ineffective.

 Moderate study design

Literature review, not a primary study

## What they did

A literature review assessing research on PMS diagnosis, causes, epidemiology, and treatment.

## What they found

There is no proof that the premenstrual period causes increased violence, nor is an association with other psychiatric illness proven. Despite many theories no definitive cause has been established. Controlled studies have not found a universally effective treatment. Conservative measures with support, diet, and exercise help in most cases. Alprazolam and mefenamic acid may help some women. Rectal or vaginal progesterone therapy has been proven ineffective and should not be used.

## What it means for you

After reviewing many studies, we still don't know what causes PMS or have a cure-all treatment. Basic lifestyle approaches work for most women. This is a review of existing research, not a new study.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome: current knowledge and management Authors Robinson GE Journal CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne Year 1989 Study design Survey study What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2645986/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2645986/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)[Legal and forensic](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-legal-crime/)

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

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2003

What role do hormones play in PMS and how should we treat it?

Review, 1998

What treatments actually help with PMS?

Systematic review, 2008

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2003

What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

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