The premenstrual syndrome. A review.

The premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has gained much attention in the past few years. Despite the many studies that have attempted to determine the underlying biochemical changes in the syndrome and the larger number of studies attempting to evaluate treatment, we are really no wiser about PMS now than when the syndrome was described originally. The literature has been plagued by uncontrolled therapeutic trials, poorly conducted biochemical and endocrinologic studies and enthusiastic but unsubstantiated anecdotes. This review cannot hope to provide the answers since the background information is not yet established. However, providing an overview of current and past theories of the etiology and treatment regimens should enable the clinician and researcher to place new ideas and publications in perspective and to avoid many of the pitfalls of previous studies.