---
title: What is premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: PMS is a group of emotional and physical symptoms that happen in the second half of the menstrual cycle, likely caused by genetics, hormones, and brain proces
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndromes-1998/
---

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- What is premenstrual syndrome?

Survey study, 1998

# What is premenstrual syndrome?

PMS is a group of emotional and physical symptoms that happen in the second half of the menstrual cycle, likely caused by genetics, hormones, and brain processes. Medications can help, but we need more research to fully understand it.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

This article reviews what is known about premenstrual syndromes, including how it's defined, diagnosed, what causes it, and how it's treated.

## What they found

PMS involves emotional and physical symptoms in the second half of the menstrual cycle. The cause likely involves genetic factors, reproductive hormones, neurotransmitters, and other brain processes. Effective medications exist for treatment, though the patterns of relapse and recurrence are not well understood.

## What it means for you

This is a review article, not original research, so it summarizes what is known rather than presenting new findings. More research is needed in all areas to improve diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of the condition.

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndromes Authors Freeman EW, Halbreich U Journal Psychopharmacology bulletin Year 1998 Study design Survey study Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9803757/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9803757/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)

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

Cohort study, 2026

What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2026

Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS?

Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Survey study, 2025

Does PMDD or PMS affect quality of life?

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