Medical treatment of premenstrual syndrome

Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome has been hampered by the ongoing confusion concerning the etiology of this disorder. Lack of universally accepted diagnostic criteria has been a major factor in the inconclusive and contradictory results of most studies of treatment. Medical treatments which have been used for Premenstrual Syndrome can be divided into three major groups: those that are designed to relieve specific symptoms without attempting to modify the underlying disease process; those that presumably correct what is hypothesized as being the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder; and those that alter the normal ovulatory menstrual cycle. This paper critically reviews a multitude of proposed treatments including psychoactive drugs, diet, exercise, vitamin supplements, hormones and surgery. There is no clear cut evidence of the effectiveness of any of these medical approaches. The emphasis on medical and drug therapies should not discourage physicians from evaluating the effects of psychotherapy on symptom amelioration.