Diagnosis and treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common problem and patients with PMS are encountered by obstetricians, gynecologists, family practitioners, internists (general physicians) and psychiatrists. Despite several decades of biological research, the etiology of the disorder is still elusive. The introduction of a psychiatric category called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), describing women with severe emotional premenstrual symptoms, has advanced biological treatment research by identifying a more homogeneous patient population. This paper aims to review our current understanding of the clinical presentation, underlying psycho-biology, and essentials of treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.