---
title: Is PMS really caused by hormones? | Niyora
description: The evidence that PMS is caused by hormones is unclear. Psychological and individualized treatments may work better than hormone treatments for PMS.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/research-and-theory-related-to-female-reproduction-implications-for-clinical-1992/
---

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- Is PMS really caused by hormones?

Review, 1992

# Is PMS really caused by hormones?

The evidence that PMS is caused by hormones is unclear. Psychological and individualized treatments may work better than hormone treatments for PMS.

 Strong study design

Literature review - no specific population studied

## What they did

Reviewed scientific evidence about whether reproduction causes mental health problems like PMS, and examined both biological and psychological explanations.

## What they found

Biological and hormone treatments for PMS show unclear evidence of how well they work, with no clear proof that hormones cause PMS symptoms. Psychological and multifactorial or individualized treatments were recommended. While reproductive events can contribute to psychological distress in some women, they don't inevitably cause mental health problems.

## What it means for you

PMS may not be purely a hormone problem. Doctors should consider psychological approaches and individualized treatment plans. This finding comes from reviewing existing research rather than new experiments.

3

reproductive syndromes reviewed

## About the study

Original title Research and theory related to female reproduction: implications for clinical psychology Authors Ussher JM Journal The British journal of clinical psychology Year 1992 Study design Review What was tested None - literature review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8260.1992.tb00979.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8260.1992.tb00979.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Guideline, 2001

What is the best treatment for PMDD and depression in women?

Survey study, 1993

Are women with menopause distress more likely to have had past depression linked to their periods?

Cohort study, 2007

Do women with depression or bipolar disorder experience premenstrual mood symptoms?

Survey study, 2005

Does the menstrual cycle affect obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms?

Review, 2002

Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?

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