PMS - MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Premenstrual Syndromes: What is the Optimal Duration of Treatment?

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) affect a large number of women of childbearing age. 30-80% of reproductive age women experience premenstrual symptoms. PMS refers to a pattern of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms occurring 1-2 weeks before menses and remitting with the onset of menses. Common symptoms include fatigue, poor concentration, mild mood changes, headaches, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T15:32:28-04:00December 21st, 2009|PMS and PMDD|2 Comments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Premenstrual Syndromes: A Review of the Literature

Significant numbers of reproductive-aged women experience premenstrual syndromes characterized by depressed mood, irritability, mood swings, anxiety or tension, sleep disruption, and other physical symptoms, including bloating and breast tenderness. Typically these symptoms emerge during the week preceding menstruation, improve with the onset of menses, and are not present during the week after menstruation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T14:18:14-04:00April 6th, 2009|PMS and PMDD|1 Comment

Bipolar Disorder and PMS

Premenstrual worsening of mood is common among women with depression, but little is known about how often women with bipolar disorder experience worsening of their mood premenstrually. In a study by Payne et al. (2007), premenstrual symptoms were reported by twice as many women diagnosed with mood disorders (mixture of Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder) than by women who did not have a psychiatric diagnosis (67.7% vs. 33.7%). These results suggest that PMS symptoms are particularly common in women with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. However, this study involved women reporting prior experiences with PMS, which is not always as accurate as studies that involve prospective monitoring to obtain real-time reporting of PMS symptoms. Such prospective studies of PMS in women with bipolar disorder are sparse and have inconsistent conclusions.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:38:38-04:00December 15th, 2008|New Research, PMS and PMDD|12 Comments

Do Oral Contraceptives Cause Mood Changes?

Many women have concerns about the side effects of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Potential side effects include bloating, breast tenderness, and weight gain. In addition, some women may experience depression or mood swings, side effects that may influence a woman’s decision to start taking a birth control pill, particularly if she has a history of depression.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T12:44:52-04:00May 1st, 2008|PMS and PMDD|3 Comments

New Research Study at CWMH: Treatment of Premenstrual Worsening of Depression

Seeking women between 18-45 with PMS who have been diagnosed with depression. If you are between 18 and 45 and:

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T10:15:59-04:00February 15th, 2008|PMS and PMDD|2 Comments

Nutritional Supplements for Premenstrual Syndrome: Do They Work?

Many promote the use of certain vitamins and minerals for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but controlled studies supporting the use of nutritional supplements are sparse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T11:22:36-04:00January 24th, 2008|PMS and PMDD|4 Comments

Oral Contraceptives for the Treatment of Premenstrual Mood Symptoms

Oral contraceptives are commonly prescribed for the treatment of premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD); however, the evidence supporting the use of oral contraceptives in this setting is limited. While most studies have shown that oral contraceptives are not effective for the treatment of premenstrual symptoms, there is preliminary evidence that a new oral contraceptive pill, Yaz, which contains low-dose estrogen and a novel progestin called drospirenone, may alleviate the symptoms of PMDD.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:57:47-04:00November 13th, 2007|PMS and PMDD|3 Comments

Two MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health Physicians Featured in Elle Magazine

Lee S. Cohen, MD, and Hadine Joffe, MD, MSc, shared their expertise in reproductive health and oral contraceptives (OC) for Elle magazine’s recent article, “Against the Flow.” The article discusses Lybrel, the first continuous OC approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This new birth control pill has received attention because its continual low dose of estrogen and progestin completely eliminates monthly bleeding in women. It is 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, provides long-term health benefits, and eliminates what many women consider the “hassles” of menstruation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-28T10:25:07-04:00September 28th, 2007|PMS and PMDD|6 Comments

Oral Contraceptives for the Treatment of Premenstrual Mood Symptoms in Women with Depression

About 3-5% of women of reproductive age suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), where they experience depressive symptoms, anxiety or irritability during the last one to two weeks (the premenstrual phase) of their menstrual cycle. In addition, many women who suffer from depression, including those who have been effectively treated with an antidepressant, report worsening of their depressive symptoms during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. Although this may be a consequence of sensitivity to fluctuating hormone levels, little is known about the efficacy of hormonal interventions, including oral contraceptives (OCPs), in the treatment of premenstrual worsening of depressive symptoms.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2016-03-28T13:51:33-04:00June 14th, 2005|New Research, PMS and PMDD|0 Comments

Agnus Castus Fruit Extract as a Treatment for Premenstrual Syndrome

During the period before menstruation, many women report experiencing psychological and physical symptoms collectively referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The fruits, leaves and flowers of Vitex agnus castus (the Chaste Tree) have traditionally been used to relieve these symptoms. While the mode of action is not clear, the effects of the plant seem to mimic those of the corpus luteum, stimulating the production of lutenizing hormone, thereby increasing progesterone production. Schellenberg and colleagues recently studied the effects of agnus castus fruit in women with premenstrual syndrome.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-07-20T11:28:59-04:00May 20th, 2002|PMS and PMDD|0 Comments