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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

Topics