Review, 1990
What types of premenstrual conditions exist and how should they be treated?
Two main types are recognized: Premenstrual Syndrome and Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder. Most treatments are still trial-and-error because they have not been properly tested with double-blind studies.
What they did
Review of premenstrual syndromes, their diagnosis, and available treatments.
What they found
Premenstrual Syndrome and Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder are two commonly cited premenstrual syndromes. Research faces challenges including inconsistency between rating scales that ask women to remember symptoms versus ones recorded as they happen, lack of double-blind confirmation of treatment response, and large placebo effects. Treatment remains largely empiric (trial-and-error). Many patients may benefit from psychiatric referral.
What it means for you
There is still limited reliable evidence for most PMS treatments. Doctors may need to try different approaches for different women, and mental health support may help some. The main limit is better research methods are needed.
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndromes
- Authors
- Fitz-Gerald M
- Journal
- The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society : official organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- None (literature review)
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2243205/
Topics
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