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Study, 1987

What is PMS and what causes it?

PMS is a condition where mood and physical symptoms appear in the second half of your cycle and disappear when your period starts. Hormone changes are probably the main cause.

Early or limited evidence General information about PMS

What they did

Discussed what defines PMS, what its symptoms are, and approaches to treating it.

What they found

PMS is only confirmed when symptoms disappear with the start of menstruation. Symptoms include nervousness, depression, irritability, insomnia, headaches, breast enlargement, bloating, water retention, digestive upset, skin problems, behavior changes, and sexual problems. Hormonal changes are probably the main cause. Stopping ovulation using estradiol implants is a newer treatment approach. Psychiatric treatment alone usually doesn't work well for PMS.

What it means for you

PMS is your body's response to the hormone and metabolic changes that happen after ovulation. Severe PMS happens when you have difficulty adjusting psychologically to these hormone changes. This explains why psychiatric treatment alone usually doesn't help much.

About the study

Original title
Premenstrual syndrome: What it is and what it is not
Authors
B. Robert, Greenblatt, Ana‐Zully Teran et al.
Journal
Stress Medicine
Year
1987
Study design
Study
What was tested
Estradiol implants to stop ovulation mentioned as a treatment approach

Topics