---
title: What are the main problems in PMS research, and how should psychological symptoms be treated?
description: Research has major flaws like inconsistent definitions and biased data collection that make it hard to know which treatment works. There is no reliable way ye
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychologic-components-of-the-premenstrual-syndrome-evaluating-the-research-and-1983/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- What are the main problems in PMS research, and how should psychological symptoms be treated?

Review, 1983

# What are the main problems in PMS research, and how should psychological symptoms be treated?

Research has major flaws like inconsistent definitions and biased data collection that make it hard to know which treatment works. There is no reliable way yet to predict whether behavioral therapy, medication, nutrition, or hormones will help each person.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of existing research on PMS.

## What they did

Reviewed existing research on the psychological aspects of PMS and how they are studied and treated.

## What they found

Identified five major methodologic problems: lack of consensus on what PMS is, use of biased retrospective reporting instead of tracking symptoms as they happen, sampling errors, failure to account for study bias, and poor timing of data collection. Treatment requires a personalized approach.

## What it means for you

We need better research methods with stronger controls for placebo effects before we can confidently recommend which treatment works for which woman. This is a 1983 review, so the field has likely evolved since then.

## About the study

Original title Psychologic components of the premenstrual syndrome. Evaluating the research and choosing the treatment Authors Abplanalp JM Journal The Journal of reproductive medicine Year 1983 Study design Review What was tested N/A Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6355466/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6355466/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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

Case-control study, 2026

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

Systematic review, 2025

Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Systematic review, 2012

Does the menstrual cycle cause negative mood, especially before your period?

Survey study, 2011

What premenstrual symptoms do women experience around the world and how much do they affect daily life?

Randomised trial, 2006

What herbs and dietary supplements have evidence for treating premenstrual syndrome?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗