---
title: What causes PMS and which treatments actually help? | Niyora
description: This review suggests PMS is linked to changes in brain chemicals like GABA and the hormone-related substance allopregnanolone, and that several treatments (SS
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-new-insights-into-etiology-and-review-of-treatment-methods-2024/
---

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- What causes PMS and which treatments actually help?

Survey study, 2024

# What causes PMS and which treatments actually help?

This review suggests PMS is linked to changes in brain chemicals like GABA and the hormone-related substance allopregnanolone, and that several treatments (SSRIs, hormonal options, neurosteroids, supplements, therapy) can help, but no single treatment suits everyone.

 Early or limited evidence

Women of reproductive age with PMS, worldwide (general review, not one specific group).

## What they did

This is a review article, not a new experiment. The authors looked at existing research on why PMS happens and compared different treatment approaches, both medication and non-medication based.

## What they found

PMS affects an estimated 47.8% of women of reproductive age worldwide, with severe symptoms in 3-8% of women, badly affecting daily life. The authors point to GABA signaling changes and shifts in neurosteroids, especially allopregnanolone, as likely causes. They reviewed treatments including SSRIs, hormonal agents, neurosteroids, supplements, and therapy-based approaches.

## What it means for you

There is no one best treatment for PMS; doctors need to choose medication based on each woman's own situation to get the best result. The main limit is that this is a summary of other people's research, not a new trial, so it does not give fresh evidence on how well any single treatment works.

47.8%

Global PMS prevalence

3-8%

Women with severe symptoms

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome: new insights into etiology and review of treatment methods Authors Modzelewski S, Oracz A, Żukow X et al. Journal Frontiers in psychiatry Year 2024 Study design Survey study What was tested Review compares SSRIs, hormonal treatments, neurosteroids, supplements, and therapy approaches. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1363875](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1363875) Original abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting women of reproductive age, with an estimated global prevalence of 47.8%, with severe symptoms occurring in 3-8%, significantly affecting daily functioning. GABA conductance and changes in neurosteroid levels, particularly allopregnanolone, are suspected to play a substantial role in the disorder's etiology. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent reports on the etiology and recognized therapeutic approaches, encompassing both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Our examination includes studies on SSRIs, hormonal agents, neurosteroids, supplementation, and therapeutic roles. We aim to determine the most favorable treatment regimen by comparing medication effects and alternative methods. The treatment of PMS is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for affected women. Medications used in PMS treatment should be individually selected to achieve the best therapeutic effect, considering the clinical situation of the patients.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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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