---
title: How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD? | Niyora
description: Doctors can now diagnose these conditions using specific prospective symptom tracking and have several evidence-based treatments. Antidepressants that increas
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-and-beyond-a-clinical-2004/
---

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- How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2004

# How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD?

Doctors can now diagnose these conditions using specific prospective symptom tracking and have several evidence-based treatments. Antidepressants that increase serotonin, especially when taken only during the luteal phase, work best for severe symptoms.

 Strong study design

Women with PMS and PMDD receiving medical care

## What they did

Reviewed research on diagnosis and treatment of PMS and PMDD to provide clinicians with practical guidelines.

## What they found

Prospective symptom tracking helps diagnose severe symptoms accurately. Antidepressants are the primary treatment for severe symptoms, with most women responding well to luteal phase-only therapy. Ovulation suppression is reserved for women who don't respond to other treatments.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS or PMDD should track symptoms prospectively for accurate diagnosis. Most benefit from antidepressants taken only during the second half of the cycle rather than daily use.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and beyond: a clinical primer for practitioners Authors Johnson SR Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 2004 Study design Review What was tested Review of PMS and PMDD treatment strategies Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/01.aog.0000140686.66212.1e](https://doi.org/10.1097/01.aog.0000140686.66212.1e)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)

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

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Randomised trial, 1996

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and what treatments work for it?

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Review, 2018

What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?

Survey study, 2011

Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?

Review, 2004

What is PMDD and how is it treated?

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