title: Treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder using serotonin agents.
abstract: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects 20%-50% of all women. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can be conceptualized as a more severe variant of PMS, can affect 3%-9% of all women. Because a significant number of women suffer from premenstrual disorders and afflicted women may spend up to half the month suffering from symptoms, it is important to identify and provide effective treatment for such women. Historically, it has been difficult to distinguish premenstrual disorders from other depressive disorders, given the high comorbidity of the two disorders. Most studies attempt to remove this confounding factor by excluding women with concurrent depressive disorders. Despite the difficulties and limitations inherent in studying treatments for premenstrual disorders, most investigations support the use of serotonin agents in treating PMDD.
authors.affiliation: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline