Premenstrual syndromes: past and future research strategies

Premenstrual Syndrome remains a poorly understood controversial disorder largely because of the errors in design found in research into this subject. The first task is to clearly define the entity to be studied. It is necessary to look at the nature, intensity and time of occurrence of symptoms in relation to menstruation. One must further differentiate the appearance of symptoms premenstrually from the premenstrual exacerbation of symptoms present throughout the menstrual cycle. Research has clearly shown the superiority of prospective versus retrospective data in establishing a linkage between symptoms and menstruation. Premenstrual Syndrome research offers a unique opportunity to study classical psychiatric disorders. A relationship appears to exist between this syndrome and major affective disorders. Studies of the appearance or exacerbation of mood disturbances in relation to the menstrual cycle may inform us about the development, course and vicissitudes of psychiatric illness.