Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): a peri-menopausal perspective

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) affects 30-40% of the reproductive female population and hence creates significant impairment amongst women of working age [1]. Having such an economical and financial impact makes it an important disorder to know more about in terms of diagnosis and treatment. In this article, as well as addressing diagnosis and treatments, we focus mainly on peri-menopausal women who are equally (if not more) affected by this disorder and who are subjected to PMS via a host of widely used hormonal treatments. We describe the vicious cycle that exists between exogenous progestogen stimulating PMS-like symptoms and the progestogen that is required for endometrial protection and ways of avoiding this. The treatment should address all concerns of the individual, namely contraceptive requirements, control of PMS and menopausal symptoms. The main theory behind treatment of PMS is to suppress ovulation along the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, however neurotransmitters are also implicated in reducing sensitivity to progesterone via receptors, and therefore selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are also useful. Surgical methods are strongly discouraged and are a last resort. With so many pitfalls, this article aims to tackle the issues commonly encountered with diagnosis and treatment of PMS in the peri-menopause.