---
title: What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: No single treatment works for all women. Many different drugs have been tested but show inconsistent results. About 50% of improvement appears to be placebo e
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-premenstrual-syndrome-a-review-of-the-present-status-of-therapy-1982/
---

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- What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 1982

# What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

No single treatment works for all women. Many different drugs have been tested but show inconsistent results. About 50% of improvement appears to be placebo effect.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review of treatment studies (not a study of people)

## What they did

Review of studies testing various treatments for PMS including hormones, diuretics, vitamins, and other drugs.

## What they found

Treatments like progestagens, oral contraceptives, diuretics, pyridoxine, bromocriptine, and danazol helped in some studies but not others. Placebo effect was estimated at up to 50%. More than 40% of women were reported to have PMS.

## What it means for you

PMS treatment is complex because the cause is unknown and diagnosis methods are unclear. The large placebo effect means many treatment claims rest on weak evidence. No single drug cures all patients or all symptoms.

50%

estimated placebo effect in PMS studies

more than 40%

of women reported to have PMS

## About the study

Original title The premenstrual syndrome: a review of the present status of therapy Authors O'Brien PM Journal Drugs Year 1982 Study design Review Read the paper [doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198224020-00004](https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198224020-00004)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/)[Vitamin B6](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-b6/)[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.

## Related studies

Review, 1991

What treatments are available for late luteal phase dysphoric disorder?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 1998

What treatments actually help with PMS?

Survey study, 1989

Does exercise, rest, or vitamin B6 help PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 1985

What did doctors know about PMS diagnosis and treatment in 1985?

Review, 1985

What is the best approach to treating PMS?

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