---
title: What are the symptoms and treatment options for menstrual cycle-related problems?
description: Menstrual cycle problems affect up to 2.5 million women yearly with physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. They can be treated with NSAIDs, lifestyle c
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/symptoms-related-to-the-menstrual-cycle-diagnosis-prevalence-and-treatment-2008/
---

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- What are the symptoms and treatment options for menstrual cycle-related problems?

Survey study, 2008

# What are the symptoms and treatment options for menstrual cycle-related problems?

Menstrual cycle problems affect up to 2.5 million women yearly with physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. They can be treated with NSAIDs, lifestyle changes, SSRIs, or birth control pills, with continuous use showing the most promise.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with menstrual cycle-related symptoms

## What they did

A literature review examining the diagnosis, prevalence, and treatment of dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

## What they found

Up to 2.5 million women are affected by menstrual disorders yearly. Treatments include NSAIDs (for dysmenorrhea), lifestyle changes, SSRIs, and ovulation suppression via birth control pills. Extended or continuous pill use may significantly reduce menstrual symptoms.

## What it means for you

Multiple treatments are available for menstrual symptoms. Birth control pills, especially when used continuously, may be most effective. This is a literature review rather than a new research study, so it summarizes existing knowledge.

2.5 million

women affected by menstrual disorders each year

## About the study

Original title Symptoms related to the menstrual cycle: diagnosis, prevalence, and treatment Authors Clayton AH Journal Journal of psychiatric practice Year 2008 Study design Survey study Participants 5 What was tested NSAIDs, lifestyle changes, SSRIs, oral contraceptives Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/01.pra.0000308491.54885.f8](https://doi.org/10.1097/01.pra.0000308491.54885.f8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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.

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