Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be defined as emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur in the premenstrual (luteal) phase of the menstrual cycle, which are relieved by the start of menses. Studies have suggested that as many as 80% of women experience mild to moderate premenstrual symptoms, and approximately 3-8% experience severe symptoms.
PMS can begin at any time during the reproductive years and symptoms resolve with menopause (although symptoms may worsen initially in the perimenopausal interval).
Although there seems to be a strong association with depression, the cause of PMS is not known.
PMS occurs only with cycles in which an egg is released awaiting fertilization (ovulatory cycle).
Therefore, the target of some therapies is the inhibition of ovulation.
Because PMS is not a disease, the goal of therapy is the alleviation of symptoms rather than finding a cure. Treatments need to be individualized for each woman based on her symptoms.
Often, lifestyle measures such as dietary modification and moderate aerobic exercise (at least three times per week) are all that are required to completely control premenstrual symptoms. Medications or nutritional supplements are commonly used. Surgery is considered a last-resort and is rarely performed for PMS alone.
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Premenstrual syndrome is real and treatable. Practitioner. 2000
Desideratum dermatologicum--cause and control of premenstrual acne flare. International Journal of Dermatology. 2000
Is it premenstrual syndrome? Keys to focused diagnosis, therapies for multiple symptoms. Postgraduate Medicine. 2000
Evaluating and managing premenstrual syndrome. Medscape Womens Health. 2000
Micronutrients and the premenstrual syndrome: the case for calcium. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2000
The potential for dietary supplements to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2000
Calcium treatment for premenstrual syndrome. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 1999
Premenstrual syndrome: diagnosis and intervention. Nurse Practitioner. 1998
Premenstrual syndrome. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 1998
Treatment strategies for premenstrual syndrome. American Family Physician. 1998
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