---
title: What causes PMS and what treatments work? | Niyora
description: PMS is thought to involve hormones and brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Two main treatments have emerged: stopping ovulation with hormones, or using
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-pathophysiologic-background-for-current-treatments-of-premenstrual-syndromes-2002/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- What causes PMS and what treatments work?

Review, 2002

# What causes PMS and what treatments work?

PMS is thought to involve hormones and brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Two main treatments have emerged: stopping ovulation with hormones, or using antidepressants that increase serotonin.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of PMS research and treatment literature

## What they did

Reviewed 70 years of research on the causes of PMS and treatment approaches.

## What they found

Multiple treatment approaches have emerged. Hormonal treatments suppress ovulation. Antidepressants stimulate serotonin activity. Two components of PMS pathophysiology, genetic propensity and changing vulnerability, have not yet been addressed by treatments.

## What it means for you

We have some treatments that work for PMS, but we do not fully understand what causes it. Genetic factors and how your vulnerability to PMS changes over time still need treatment approaches.

## About the study

Original title The pathophysiologic background for current treatments of premenstrual syndromes Authors Halbreich U Journal Current psychiatry reports Year 2002 Study design Review What was tested Not applicable - literature review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11920-002-0070-1](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-002-0070-1)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)

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

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

Review, 2022

What causes severe PMS and what treatments work?

Systematic review, 2022

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2018

What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗