Review, 2007
What causes PMS and how should it be treated?
PMS is caused by ovulation and abnormal sensitivity to progesterone, possibly due to serotonin dysfunction. Treatment works best by stopping ovulation or using medicines that reduce sensitivity to progesterone.
What they did
A review of research on the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of PMS.
What they found
PMS occurs during the luteal phase after ovulation and stops by the end of menstruation. It appears caused by ovulation and enhanced sensitivity to progesterone, possibly due to serotonin dysfunction. Diagnosis uses prospective symptom rating charts to confirm symptoms are absent between the end of menstruation and ovulation. Treatment works by suppressing ovulation or using selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors to reduce progesterone sensitivity.
What it means for you
PMS is tied to ovulation and the body's response to progesterone, not just the amount of progesterone. Serotonin appears involved. Medicines that increase serotonin or stop ovulation help. The main limit is this is a review of existing research, so conclusions depend on the quality and type of studies available.
About the study
- Original title
- Psychological aspects of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Indusekhar R, Usman SB, O'Brien S
- Journal
- Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Suppression of ovulation or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor medicines.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2006.10.002
Topics
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