---
title: What causes PMS and how is it treated? | Niyora
description: The exact cause of PMS is not known, but it is a complex condition with physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms during the luteal phase. Both drug and
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/unfolding-the-mystery-of-premenstrual-syndrome-pms-an-overview-2023/
---

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- What causes PMS and how is it treated?

Review, 2023

# What causes PMS and how is it treated?

The exact cause of PMS is not known, but it is a complex condition with physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms during the luteal phase. Both drug and non-drug treatments exist, though only some have strong clinical evidence.

 Early or limited evidence

Women of reproductive age with PMS

## What they did

A review of the literature on PMS, examining hypotheses about its causes and surveying available treatments, both drug and non-drug.

## What they found

PMS affects approximately 5 to 8 percent of women, with the majority of those having PMDD. PMS is diagnosed entirely on the basis of signs and symptoms, with no particular diagnostic tests available. Only a small number of therapeutic approaches have strong clinical evidence.

## What it means for you

PMS is a complex condition without a single identified cause, diagnosed by symptoms alone rather than by diagnostic tests. Many treatments are available but more evidence is needed for most of them. This is a narrative review summarizing existing knowledge rather than presenting new research findings.

5-8 percent

women with premenstrual syndrome

## About the study

Original title Unfolding the mystery of premenstrual syndrome (PMS): an overview Authors Zehravi M, Maqbool M, Ara I Journal International journal of adolescent medicine and health Year 2023 Study design Review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2022-0023](https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2022-0023)

## 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/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

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

Cohort study, 2026

What genetic factors are linked to premenstrual symptoms?

Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

Systematic review, 2026

Why do some women experience mood changes linked to their menstrual cycle?

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Systematic review, 2025

Do people with PMDD and severe PMS have difficulties with emotion regulation?

Cohort study, 2025

Do women with a history of PMS or PMDD have more depression during pregnancy and after birth?

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