Study, 2000
What causes PMDD and how should it be treated?
PMDD is an intense version of the normal mood and physical changes that happen before menstruation, involving genetics, brain chemistry and hormones. SSRI medications are now used as a treatment.
What they did
Researchers reviewed what premenstrual dysphoric disorder is, its causes, and how medical understanding of it has changed over time from ancient times through modern psychiatry.
What they found
PMDD involves genetic, neurobiological and hormone-related factors. A brain chemical called serotonin plays an important role. SSRI medications have become a standard treatment. Throughout history, menstruation has been misunderstood and stigmatized in many cultures.
What it means for you
Understanding that PMDD has biological causes helps move beyond outdated and stigmatizing beliefs about menstruation. More treatment options are now available. The limitation is that this is a review of existing knowledge rather than new research, so more studies are needed to fully understand all the causes.
About the study
- Original title
- Trastorno disfórico premenstrual
- Authors
- Andrea López-Mato, Gonzalo Illa, Oscar Boullosa et al.
- Journal
- Revista chilena de neuro-psiquiatría
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Study
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4067/s0717-92272000000300006
Topics
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