Cognitive behavioral therapy: what the research says

Do psychological treatments help PMS?

Yes. Psychological interventions like therapy significantly reduce PMS symptoms, depression, anxiety, and anger or irritability in women with PMS.

Do mindfulness and relaxation techniques help with PMS symptoms?

Yes. These techniques reduced physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, and emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. However, the evidence is still limited.

How effective are non-hormonal treatments for severe PMS?

All three tested treatments significantly reduced PMS symptoms more than placebo. Calcium-vitamin D was most effective, followed by cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes.

Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?

Yes. A systematic review of five good-quality studies shows that psychoeducation (structured teaching) significantly reduced period pain and PMS symptoms and improved emotional wellbeing in adolescent girls.

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

According to this literature review, SSRIs (antidepressants) and cognitive-behavioral therapy are the most commonly recommended first-line treatments. Birth control pills with drospirenone are also effective.

Can cognitive behavioral therapy treat PMS without medication?

Yes, according to this review. All 32 studies found that cognitive behavioral therapy and other non-medication approaches significantly reduced or completely stopped PMS symptoms with no side effects reported.

How should doctors treat PMS and PMDD?

Treatment should be tailored to each woman's symptoms and life stage. Options include therapy, herbs, antidepressants, birth control to stop ovulation, and water pills.

Does online cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMDD?

Yes. Women who completed 8 weeks of online therapy had significantly greater improvements in functional impairment, mood, and everyday life. The improvements lasted for at least 6 months.

What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD?

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and contraceptives with shortened or no hormone-free interval are the most effective treatments. Some women who do not respond may benefit from GnRH agonist treatment.

What causes PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?

PMS affects 30-40% of women and is likely caused by sensitivity to normal hormone changes and neurotransmitter problems. Treatment includes antidepressants, birth control pills, counseling, and lifestyle changes.

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

PMDD involves an abnormal response to normal hormone changes affecting the serotonin system and brain circuits that control emotion. SSRIs are the first-line treatment, with several other options available.

What are the best treatments for PMDD without other mental health conditions?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (especially paroxetine and fluoxetine) and low-dose oral contraceptives work best. Other options like light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supplements show promise but need more research.

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

PMS affects 30 to 40 percent of reproductive-age women and PMDD affects 3 to 8 percent. Serotonergic antidepressants are the most effective treatment, but oral contraceptives, lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and herbal supplements are also available options.

What treatments work best for PMDD?

A combination of lifestyle changes, medicines, and cognitive behavioral therapy works best. This approach reduces symptoms and improves daily functioning and quality of life.

How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD?

Both cognitive-behavioral therapy and serotonergic antidepressants showed small to medium effects, but researchers concluded efficacy was not satisfactory and recommend combining both approaches for better results.

What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they?

PMS affects 20-32% of women before menopause with moderate mood and physical symptoms. PMDD is more severe and affects 3-8% of women, causing significant problems at work or socially.

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Several treatments reduce PMS symptoms according to controlled studies: SSRIs, some birth control pills, hormone injections, calcium, chasteberry, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, about 40% of women don't respond to current treatments.

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Many treatments have been studied for PMS, but researchers face a major challenge: there is no standard way to measure symptom severity, making it difficult to know which treatments truly work.

What treatments work for PMS and PMDD?

Several treatments work. Non-drug options include cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, and supplements like calcium and magnesium. Many studies support SSRIs (taken daily or only before menstruation). Hormonal treatments that stop ovulation also help.

Which PMS treatments have good scientific evidence?

Calcium at 1200 mg daily and certain antidepressants have good evidence of working. Many popular treatments like vitamin B6, evening primrose oil, and birth control pills lack strong evidence. Some treatments like progesterone do not work.

What are PMS and PMDD, and how are they treated?

PMS is a cluster of symptoms occurring 7 to 14 days before menstruation. PMDD is the most severe form. Both should be treated first with lifestyle changes like exercise and stress management, with medication added if needed.

Does cognitive therapy help women with PMS?

Yes. Cognitive therapy was significantly more effective than being on a waitlist, and women showed almost complete remission of symptoms.

What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?

This review consolidates what doctors know about PMS and PMDD. PMS affects 12-98% of reproductive-age women and PMDD affects 2-5%. Treatments range from lifestyle changes, therapy, and vitamins to medications like SSRIs and oral contraceptives.

What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD?

Several cognitive behavioral therapies have been studied for PMS and PMDD, including CBT, mindfulness therapy, and acceptance therapy. The evidence is scattered and hasn't been systematically compared yet, so we don't know which approach works best.

Which works better for PMDD: cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy?

Both therapies reduced stress and improved well-being in PMDD, with cognitive-behavioral therapy being more effective. However, neither significantly improved emotional well-being.

Do digital tools and apps help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Yes, several digital programs help reduce symptoms, especially internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and app-based mindfulness. Therapist-guided internet CBT for PMDD showed benefits lasting up to 6 months. Tracking apps helped with symptom awareness and engagement.

Does the menstrual cycle affect how well therapy works?

Yes. Women reported lower satisfaction with therapy and worse symptoms during the premenstrual and perimenstrual phases, but talking about their menstrual cycle in therapy helped.

How are PMS and PMDD diagnosed and treated?

PMS and PMDD are diagnosed by tracking symptoms for at least two cycles and noting if they occur in the luteal phase. SSRIs are first-line treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, acupuncture, and the herb Vitex agnus castus may also help.

What treatments help PMS and PMDD?

Both medications (SSRIs, hormonal therapy) and non-drug approaches (therapy, mindfulness, supplements, herbal medicine) show promise for PMS and PMDD. More research is needed to know which works best for whom.

Do different types of psychotherapy (talking therapy) help with premenstrual symptoms?

Yes, cognitive behavioral therapy and other talking therapies help reduce premenstrual symptoms, though most research focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy.

Does cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy reduce period pain and PMS symptoms?

Yes. Hypnotherapy significantly reduced period pain, PMS symptoms, and improved women's emotional regulation.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy help girls with PMDD feel better about themselves?

Yes. Girls who received cognitive-behavioral therapy showed clear improvements in well-being and self-compassion compared to girls who received no treatment.

What causes PMDD and why is it hard to function?

PMDD is caused by the brain being too sensitive to hormonal changes. It leads to real and significant difficulty with work, school, or relationships that doctors often overlook.

Does metacognitive therapy help women with PMDD reduce dysfunctional thinking?

Yes, metacognitive therapy reduced dysfunctions in women with PMDD. The therapy accounted for approximately 24.3% of the improvement in dysfunctional attitudes.

Can diet help reduce PMS symptoms?

A review of past studies found that calcium, vitamin B6, and chasteberry fruit likely help PMS symptoms, while saffron, ginger, and high vitamin D have weaker evidence.

Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms?

Herbs like chaste berry and supplements like calcium and magnesium may help with PMS. Evidence is strongest when combined with lifestyle changes and therapy, though more research is needed.

How are PMS and PMDD treated?

PMS and PMDD are treated with antidepressants, hormonal drugs, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes. Non-medication approaches are becoming increasingly important.

Does online counselling using cognitive-behavioral techniques help PMS symptoms?

This abstract is a data description and does not report the study results.

Does internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce PMS symptoms and improve quality of life?

Yes. Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly reduced PMS symptoms and improved quality of life during the period itself, though not during less-symptomatic phases.

What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?

PMS involves 1-4 symptoms or 5 or more physical or behavioral symptoms. PMDD requires 5 or more symptoms with at least one mood symptom like irritability or mood swings. Treatments include exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications like SSRIs and hormonal contraceptives.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy help PMDD?

Yes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) significantly reduced PMDD symptom severity and improved women's quality of life compared to standard care.

Does cognitive-behavioral emotional regulation training help women with PMDD?

Yes. Training significantly improved marital happiness and emotional regulation in women with PMDD. This was a small study with a control group, so the effect is promising but needs confirmation in larger studies.

What factors predict which women will develop PMDD symptoms?

How much women ruminate or worry about their problems and having a specific type of period pain are linked to PMDD. Stress and drug use were not linked. The researchers were able to predict PMDD symptoms correctly 90% of the time using these factors.

What treatments help premenstrual syndrome?

Both medications and non-drug treatments help PMS. Non-drug options including herbs, supplements, exercise, and therapy are recommended as they have fewer side effects.

Can a short course of CBT-based psychoeducation ease PMS symptoms like irritability and fatigue?

Yes, in this trial, women who went through five sessions of CBT-based psychoeducation reported fewer depressive thoughts, less irritability, and less fatigue than the control group.

What treatments work for PMDD and severe premenstrual symptoms?

This review examines evidence for many treatments including antidepressants, hormonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies for PMDD. The review notes that many women with severe symptoms do not meet full PMDD criteria but still benefit from treatment.

Does mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes. Mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly reduced PMS symptoms immediately after treatment and the improvements lasted at least one month.

What treatments work best for premenstrual syndrome?

Many treatments reduce PMS. Most helpful were nutrition and exercise, followed by medication, stretching, massage, acupuncture, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cost and access are major barriers.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes, cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly reduced PMS symptoms, especially for women who completed the full treatment.

Can couples therapy help with severe PMS or PMDD more than individual therapy alone?

Yes. Both one-to-one and couple-based CBT reduced premenstrual symptoms and distress compared to a wait-list control, and couple-based CBT added extra benefits for coping skills and relationship quality. This comes from a moderate-sized randomised trial, so results are promising but not definitive.

How should premenstrual disorders be managed?

There is no single best treatment. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, alternative therapy, antidepressants, ovulation suppression, and diuretics. The choice depends on symptoms, age, family plans, health, and preferences.

What treatments work best for premenstrual disorders?

For mild symptoms, exercise, diet changes, and cognitive behavioral therapy may help, though the evidence is not yet strong. For severe symptoms, antidepressant medications including citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine clearly work.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy improve quality of life in women with premenstrual syndrome?

Yes. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improved quality of life in women with PMS, and the benefits lasted for 2 months after treatment ended.

How common are PMS and PMDD, and what are the best treatments?

Up to 12% of women are affected by premenstrual disorders that significantly affect their lives. SSRIs are the most evidence-based treatment; oral contraceptives and calcium may also help, but vitamin D and herbal remedies have weak evidence.

Does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduce PMS, depression and anxiety?

Yes. Women who received mindfulness-based cognitive therapy showed significantly lower depression, anxiety, and PMS symptoms than those who received no treatment.

What do experts agree is the best way to treat PMS and PMDD?

A group of international experts agreed that treatment should start with careful diagnosis, and that the main options work either by calming brain serotonin activity or by stopping ovulation, with some other approaches worth more study.

Does psychological education reduce PMS symptoms in teenagers?

Yes. Psychological education significantly reduced overall PMS severity and reduced anxiety and physical symptoms. Effects on depression were minimal, and the intervention did not improve difficulty in relationships.

Is PMDD a separate disease from PMS?

Yes. Research confirms PMDD is a discrete disorder with a good prognosis when appropriately diagnosed and treated.

What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?

SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) are well-established for severe PMS and PMDD, taken either continuously or during the luteal phase. Cognitive-behaviour therapy, calcium, and chasteberry may also help, though the strength of evidence varies.

How can doctors treat moderate to severe premenstrual symptoms?

This review describes multiple treatments: lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, birth control that suppresses ovulation, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. Between 20-50% of women experience moderate to severe symptoms, and about 5% meet criteria for PMDD.

Does psychological treatment help women with premenstrual syndrome?

Cognitive behavioral therapy may reduce anxiety and depression in women with PMS, but the quality of evidence is low. For every five women treated, one additional woman may benefit.

What treatments work for premenstrual disorders?

Several treatments work. Three SSRIs are FDA-approved for PMDD. Exercise, diet changes, and therapy also help some women, but no single treatment works for everyone.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy help premenstrual symptoms as well as medication?

Possibly. Growing evidence suggests cognitive behavioral therapy may work as well as medication for premenstrual symptoms and is a good option for women who prefer not to take medicine.

How should PMDD be treated?

The review discusses treating PMDD by correcting hormone imbalances or stopping ovulation, but doesn't specify which treatments work best or how effective they are.

Does therapy work as well as an antidepressant for PMDD, and does combining them work better?

Both therapy and antidepressant work well for PMDD with no difference in results after 6 months. Therapy maintains its effects better after treatment ends. Combining them does not help more than either one alone.

What treatments work for PMDD?

PMDD affects 2 to 10 percent of women of reproductive age. Try lifestyle changes first, and if that does not work, SSRIs taken just during the luteal phase are very effective with minimal side effects.

Is fluoxetine or cognitive-behavioral therapy more effective for PMDD?

Both work equally well after 6 months. Fluoxetine works faster and reduces anxiety more. Cognitive-behavioral therapy builds better coping skills and changes how women think about their symptoms.

What causes irregular periods in women with bulimia, and do they improve with treatment?

Irregular periods in bulimia were linked to vomiting, low thyroid hormone, and low dietary fat. After 12 months of treatment, 56.8 percent of women with irregular cycles became regular. This study concerns eating disorders, not PMS or PMDD.

What non-antidepressant treatments might help PMS?

A study of 466 women found calcium was effective at reducing emotional, behavioral, and physical PMS symptoms. Cognitive therapy, light therapy, and tryptophan also showed promise in early trials.

Is it easier to quit smoking at a particular time in the menstrual cycle?

Yes. Women who quit smoking during the first 14 days of their cycle experienced fewer withdrawal symptoms and less depression compared to women who quit later in their cycle.

How do PMS, pain sensitivity, and sleep connect in women with fibromyalgia?

Worse PMS was linked to worse sleep and higher pain sensitivity in this group. Pain sensitivity may partly explain why PMS severity affects sleep, but the relationships are complex.

How should PMS and PMDD be understood and treated differently based on how severe they are?

PMS and PMDD are complex conditions needing personalized, stepped treatment. Start with lifestyle and behavioral changes, then add medication based on severity and individual response.

Can combined therapy reduce emotional effects of PMS in teenage girls?

Yes. Teenage girls who received 10 sessions of combined cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative therapy showed significant reductions in rumination and catastrophic thinking about pain. Improvements lasted at follow-up.

Does psychoeducation with psychodrama techniques reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes. Women who participated in 7 sessions of psychoeducation and psychodrama had significantly lower PMS symptom scores, especially for depression, fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems.

How do hormone changes during the menstrual cycle affect mood and emotions?

Estrogen and progesterone affect brain chemicals and structures that control mood, but scientists still cannot fully explain why some women experience severe symptoms like PMS or PMDD.

Can adolescent girls manage PMS without medication?

Yes. Evidence shows that physical activity, dietary changes, yoga, meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and educational peer-support programs are all effective for reducing PMS symptom severity.

Can self-guided online therapy help premenstrual mood symptoms?

A review suggests that self-guided online cognitive behavior therapy shows promise for premenstrual mood symptoms and could be integrated into menstrual tracking apps. However, more research is needed.

Does cognitive-behavioral or mindfulness stress management help reduce PMS in high school girls?

The study compared cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness stress management for PMS in high school girls, but the results section of the abstract was not provided, so the effectiveness is unknown.

How many women worldwide have PMS, and how does it vary by region and income level?

The number of women with PMS globally increased from 652.5 million in 1990 to 956.0 million in 2019, a 46.5% increase, though the rate per population stayed stable.

How do psychiatrists and gynecologists in Japan diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD?

They use different approaches. Psychiatrists mainly prescribe SSRIs and Kampo medicines, while gynecologists use a mix including birth control pills. Most don't use evidence-based diagnostic methods like symptom diaries.

Can sulpiride help women with both PMDD and IBS?

One woman with PMDD and IBS who had not responded to antidepressants, pain medication, or melatonin experienced remission after taking low-dose sulpiride temporarily each month. This approach has not yet been tested in research studies.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy help reduce PMDD symptoms in teenage girls?

Yes. Adolescents with PMDD who received cognitive behavioral therapy showed significant symptom reduction compared to a no-treatment group.

Can mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy help women with PMS?

This case describes using mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy to manage PMS, especially how PMS affects mood, behavior, and work performance.

What does research show about PMDD neurochemistry?

The provided text does not include results from a PMDD neurochemistry study. It discusses unrelated research on other topics.

Does physical activity help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Yes, according to multiple systematic reviews, regular physical activity and aerobic exercise can effectively reduce both physical and psychological symptoms of PMS. However, more research is needed to determine the best type and amount of exercise for individual women.

What is PMS and PMDD, how common are they, and how are they usually treated?

PMS is very common, affecting almost half of women of reproductive age worldwide, and most cases are mild to moderate, while PMDD is a more severe, officially recognized psychiatric form; treatment usually starts with lifestyle approaches and moves to medication like SSRIs for severe cases.

What are the different ways to treat PMS?

PMS can be treated with medicines combined with talk therapy, physical therapy, and other treatments. However, some women do not respond to any treatment, so more research is needed.

What causes PMS and how is it treated?

PMS is caused by hormone changes during the menstrual cycle, combined with stress and changes in brain chemistry. Main medical treatments are SSRIs (antidepressants) and hormonal pills, but lifestyle changes, therapy, and surgery also help.

Does cognitive-behavioral counseling help adolescent girls with PMS build resilience?

The abstract does not provide the study results, so we cannot tell if the counseling helped.

Does cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy help women with severe PMS control anger and distress?

Yes. In 30 women with severe PMS, those who received cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy showed significant improvements in distress tolerance and aggression after treatment and at 3-month follow-up. However this is a very small study so results are preliminary.

Does a mindfulness program help improve PMDD and quality of life?

A small pilot test of a six-module mindfulness program showed improvements in severe PMS (PMDD) symptoms and quality of life, but the study was too small to confirm it works widely.

Does cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy reduce menstrual pain in women with severe PMS?

Yes. In 24 women with menstrual pain and severe PMS, those who received 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy showed significant improvements in pain intensity and quality of life. This is a very small study so results are preliminary.

Does cognitive behavioural therapy help PMDD in young people?

We cannot say for certain. Almost no studies test cognitive behavioural therapy in people under 18, but one small study of 62 young people found psychoeducation improved symptoms after 3 months.

What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD?

PMS affects 20-40% of menstruating women and causes fatigue, mood changes, and bloating. PMDD is less common but more severe. Possible causes involve hormone changes and brain chemistry. Treatments include lifestyle changes and medications.

Does melatonin help sleep and mood in women with PMDD?

In this small study, 2 mg of melatonin taken at night during the luteal phase helped mood and reduced sleep onset time. Changes in sleep structure and circadian timing were minimal.

What are the best ways to manage PMS?

PMS is managed in four steps: create awareness and make lifestyle changes, then offer therapy and complementary treatments, then medication if needed, and rarely surgery. This summarizes international guidelines but doesn't show strong evidence about which approach works best.

What causes PMDD and which treatments actually help?

This review explains that PMDD likely comes from an unusual brain response to normal hormone changes, involving serotonin and a brain receptor called GABA-A, and it says serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first choice of treatment, with other options available if those do not work.

Does stress from studying medicine make PMS worse?

Medical students had higher PMS scores than non-medical students (93.791 vs 88.473), suggesting stress may worsen PMS. Both groups scored above the PMS threshold. Without a control group, we cannot be certain stress is the cause.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy or relaxation work better for PMS?

Both cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation reduced PMS symptoms, but relaxation was more effective.

Do difficulties handling emotions affect premenstrual symptom severity?

Yes. Women who act impulsively when upset had worse premenstrual symptoms. Women who ruminate (think repetitively about problems) had symptoms that increased faster before their period and improved more slowly afterward.

How should doctors diagnose and treat PMDD?

This review explains that PMDD needs to be carefully told apart from other mental health conditions, and that antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) are the recommended first treatment, with other options available if those don't work.

Does using a smartphone app help PMS symptoms as much as visiting a doctor in person?

Using a smartphone app worked about as well as visiting a doctor for PMS, and women using the app were more satisfied with their care.

What is the best way to manage PMS?

PMS needs a team approach including doctors, therapists, and nutritionists. Combining lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioural therapy, and medical treatments works better than a single approach.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy with calcium and vitamin D help PMS symptoms?

Yes, women who received cognitive behavioral therapy with calcium and vitamin D showed significant improvements in PMS symptoms compared to those who did not receive treatment.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy or cognitive hypnosis help reduce depression in students with PMS?

Both therapies reduced depression in students with PMS. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and cognitive hypnosis worked about equally well.

Is acceptance therapy (ACT) more effective than other treatments for PMS?

Yes, for stress. ACT reduced emotional PMS symptoms and perceived stress more than cognitive behavioral therapy or no treatment, with stress improvements lasting at follow-up.

Does group cognitive-behavioral therapy help reduce PMS symptoms?

Yes, women who attended 8 sessions of therapy had significant improvements in psychological symptoms and less social problems from PMS (p=0.012).

Does combining medication and therapy help PMDD?

In one teenage girl with PMDD and anxiety, combining medication and therapy led to a good outcome. Combined treatment appeared to work better than either one alone.

How should PMS treatments be chosen?

Different treatments work for different women. Treatment selection should be based on each woman's specific symptoms and needs using established management principles from a clinical guideline.

How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages?

The provided summary focuses on anxiety in children and risk factors. The section about women and hormones is cut off in the provided text, so no conclusion about menstrual-related anxiety can be drawn.

Does the menstrual cycle phase affect sleep and body temperature?

Yes. During the luteal phase, women show changes in body temperature and reduced REM sleep at certain times compared to the follicular phase.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy help PMS or PMDD?

There is not enough good evidence that cognitive-behavioral therapy works for PMS or PMDD at this time.

How common is PMDD and how does it affect women's lives?

About 5% of menstruating women have severe PMDD with significant impairment in functioning. At least another 20% have clinically significant premenstrual symptoms. PMDD affects romantic relationships, parenting, work, and increases health care use.

Do female monkeys prefer to look at male faces during fertile times of the menstrual cycle?

Yes, but only for rhesus monkey faces. During the fertile period, female monkeys looked longer at male rhesus monkey faces compared to female faces, but not at human or chimpanzee faces.

How does acute tryptophan depletion help us understand mood disorders?

Acute tryptophan depletion is a research method that temporarily lowers serotonin levels in the brain to study its role in depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and psychiatric conditions.

What causes premenstrual syndrome and PMDD, and how should they be treated?

Dysregulation of serotonin and GABA neurotransmitter systems combined with hormone changes causes these conditions. SSRIs, GnRH agonists, Yasmin birth control, cognitive-behavior therapy, lifestyle changes, and placebo all help.

Does how much you tend to worry affect your mood before your period?

Yes. Women who scored higher on a personality test for worry and upset feelings reported more negative mood before their period, even accounting for baseline mood. Women taking birth control pills had higher worry scores.

Do people with PMDD have different breathing patterns?

Yes. PMDD patients showed greater variation in their breathing patterns than women without PMDD.

How is true PMS diagnosed?

True PMS is diagnosed by a pattern of cyclic symptoms that significantly affect daily life and relationships, not by blood tests or medical tests. Effective treatments include medications, nutritional supplements, and behavior modifications.

What treatments actually help with PMS?

This review says treatment depends on your symptoms, and that birth control pills, water pills (diuretics), antidepressants, talk therapy and nutritional supplements have helped some women, while high-dose vitamin B6, progesterone, alprazolam and GnRH agonist drugs are generally not recommended.

How do women cope with menstrual cycle symptoms and which methods work best?

Women use four types of coping strategies. Active-cognitive (thinking-based) and active-behavioral (action-based) methods were most helpful, though how often a strategy was used didn't predict how helpful it was.

Does cognitive behaviour therapy help premenstrual dysphoric symptoms?

Both cognitive behaviour therapy and a comparison treatment improved anxiety, depression, negative thoughts and physical symptoms. It's unclear how much came from the therapy itself since both groups improved similarly.

Does cognitive-behavioral coping skills training reduce premenstrual symptoms?

Yes. Women who received coping skills training showed clear reductions in premenstrual symptoms and negative thinking right after treatment and at 9-month follow-up.

Is severe overeating linked to the premenstrual period in women with PMS?

Yes. This woman experienced uncontrollable binge eating only during her premenstrual period, especially in the 3 to 5 days before her period.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work better than medication or relaxation for PMS?

Yes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy showed significant improvement after the first month that continued throughout and persisted at 3-month follow-up. Medication and relaxation showed quick improvement that faded after 2 months.

Can fear of menstruation that stops periods be treated with therapy?

This single case shows that a woman whose periods had stopped due to fear of menstruation was helped by cognitive therapy (talking about her thoughts and beliefs), which increased her confidence and brought her periods back.