A critical assessment of therapy for the premenstrual tension syndrome

Abstract

Various kinds of therapy have been used for the symptoms of premenstrual tension (PMT): sex steroid hormones, vitamins, prolactin inhibitors, hormones and factors associated with fluid retention and psychiatric/behavioral regimens. Clinical trials with natural progesterone, synthetic progestogens, androgens, estrogens, contraceptive pills, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), dopamine agonists, diuretics, psychoactive drugs and psychotherapy have given conflicting results. All these treatments are based on some underlying notion of etiology. Since the etiology of PMT is still obscure, it is not surprising that as yet there is no single treatment that is universally accepted as effective. It is essential that future trials be well controlled and double blind and that they include large numbers of participants keeping daily records of symptoms during the control and experimental cycles.