Cohort study, 2016
How often do doctors diagnose PMS and what treatments do they prescribe?
PMS diagnoses recorded in UK primary care fell dramatically from 8.43 per 1000 women in 1995 to 1.72 in 2013. Treatment shifted from progestogens and vitamin B6 to SSRIs and oral contraceptives.
What they did
Retrospective cohort study analysing records of 38,614 women with a PMS diagnosis in UK primary care from 1995 to 2013. Researchers tracked when PMS was first recorded and what medications were prescribed on or within 24 months of that diagnosis.
What they found
Recording rates declined from 8.43 to 1.72 per 1000 person years. Between 1995-1999, the most common prescriptions on the day of diagnosis were progestogens (23%) and vitamin B6 (20%). After 1999, prescriptions changed to SSRIs (28%) and combined oral contraceptives (17%). Overall, 54% received a prescription on the day of diagnosis and 77% received one within 24 months.
What it means for you
Doctors are recording fewer PMS diagnoses over time, and the treatments they choose have shifted significantly. This describes trends in practice but does not show whether these treatments work.
8.43
PMS diagnoses per 1000 women in 1995
1.72
PMS diagnoses per 1000 women in 2013
28%
prescribed SSRIs after 1999
About the study
- Original title
- Recording and treatment of premenstrual syndrome in UK general practice: a retrospective cohort study
- Authors
- Sammon CJ, Nazareth I, Petersen I
- Journal
- BMJ open
- Year
- 2016
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 38,614
- What was tested
- None; observational study of PMS diagnosis and treatment patterns
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010244
Topics
Related studies
Systematic review, 2007
What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?
Survey study, 2026
What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?
Study, 2017
How is severe PMS (PMDD) diagnosed and what treatments do doctors recommend first?
Review, 1998
What treatments actually help with PMS?
Review, 1991
What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?
Systematic review, 2024
What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?