Non-randomised trial, 2025
What treatments help PMS and PMDD?
Both medications (SSRIs, hormonal therapy) and non-drug approaches (therapy, mindfulness, supplements, herbal medicine) show promise for PMS and PMDD. More research is needed to know which works best for whom.
What they did
They reviewed recent research studies and reviews about treatments for PMS and PMDD.
What they found
SSRIs, hormonal therapies, sepranolone, and ulipristal acetate reduce symptoms. CBT, mindfulness-based interventions, nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, and open-label placebos also work. More research is needed.
What it means for you
Women have options beyond medication alone, including therapy and natural approaches. The main limit is that this reviews existing studies rather than providing new data, and the authors say better quality research is needed to know which treatments work best for different people.
About the study
- Original title
- PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS) – A REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL AND NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT APPROACHES
- Authors
- Aleksandra Białas, Weronika Lusarczyk, Natalia Sapeda et al.
- Journal
- International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Review of SSRIs, hormonal therapies, CBT, mindfulness, supplements, herbal medicine, and other treatments
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(47).2025.4010
Original abstract
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and its severe form, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), are prevalent cyclical disorders affecting the emotional, behavioral, and physical well-being of women of reproductive age. This review aims to present an overview of the current understanding of PMS/PMDD and critically examine both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods. Based on recent clinical trials and systematic reviews, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), hormonal therapies, and emerging drugs like sepranolone and ulipristal acetate demonstrate efficacy in symptom reduction (Bäckström et al., 2021; Comasco et al., 2020; Maranho et al., 2023). Simultaneously, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, and even open-label placebos are gaining attention as effective non-pharmacological alternatives (Frey Nascimento et al., 2025; Reilly et al., 2023; Shojiasi et al., 2024; Sultana et al., 2022). Despite promising findings, further high-quality research is needed to tailor personalized and integrative treatment strategies.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
Topics
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