Premenstrual Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Premenstrual Syndrome, including details on symptoms, medication, pms, premenstrual tension.

Family caregiver role and premenstrual syndrome as associated factors for postnatal depression.

Garcia-Esteve L, Navarro P, Ascaso C, Torres A, Aguado J, Gelabert E, Martín-Santos R

Unitat de Psiquiatría Perinatal i de Recerca de Gènere, Hospital Clínic Universitari de Barcelona, seu Maternitat, c/ Sabino de Arana 1, 08028, Barcelona, Spain, LESTEVE@clinic.ub.es.

The goal of this study was to identify sociodemographic, psychopathological, and obstetric risk factors associated with postnatal depression (PND) and their relative weight. A cross-sectional two-stage design was used. All consecutive women receiving a routine check-up 6 weeks postpartum at Obstetric Services during a 1-year period were included. In the first stage, women completed the Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS). In the second stage, mothers with EPDS scores >/=9 and a randomized sample of 16% with EPDS <9 were explored through a structured clinical interview to diagnose DSM-IV PND (major and minor depression). Variables were entered into stepwise regression models. A total of 1,201 women were recruited and did the EPDS; 261 women with EPDS scores >/=9 and 151 with EPDS scores <9 were selected. Three hundred and thirty-four women agreed to be interviewed and 100 were diagnosed with PND. Family caregiver role (defined as women who have to take care of handicapped or ill relatives) was associated with a 4.4-fold increase in risk for major PND (OR: 4.39, 95%CI: 1.10-17.38). Premenstrual syndrome was identified as an independent risk factor for major and minor PND (OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.03-3.18). Moreover, previous depression, poor partner relationship, and lower social support were also confirmed as risk factors for PND. Both family caregiver role and premenstrual syndrome should be considered for inclusion in the rating scales of pregnant women at risk for PND.

Published 9 July 2008 in Arch Womens Ment Health, 11(3): 193-200.
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Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 7 July 2008:

The efficacy of Femal in women with premenstrual syndrome: a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicentre study.   Adv Ther, 25(6): 595-607.

INTRODUCTION: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, parallel-group, multicentre study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a pollen-based herbal medicinal product, Femal(R) (Sea-Band Ltd, Leicestershire, UK), on premenstrual sleep disturbances (PSD) in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS: Femal, 160 mg twice-daily, was given for four menstrual cycles to 50 women, and placebo to 51 women. PSD were evaluated on a visual analogue scale prior to and after the four cycles. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 3 July 2008:

Short Onset of Action of a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor When Used to Reduce Premenstrual Irritability.   Neuropsychopharmacology.

Several studies suggest that serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) exert a more rapid effect when used for the treatment of symptoms such as anger and irritability then when used for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or anxiety. In line with this, premenstrual irritability can be effectively dampened by intermittent administration of an SRI, from ovulation to menstruation, indicating an onset of action of 10 days or less. How fast this effect appears, in terms of hours or days, is of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 1 July 2008:

Cognitive, sensory, and emotional changes associated with the menstrual cycle: a review.   Arch Gynecol Obstet.

The hormones progesterone and estrogen and, more precisely, their sophisticated interdependent fluctuations over the course of the female human lifespan, have long been known to play a dominant role in the physiological development and homeostasis of the human female. What is only recently coming to light, however, is that the fluctuation of these two hormones also plays a crucial role in neurological and psychological development and function which impacts brain function, cognition, emotional ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 27 June 2008:

Reduced parasympathetic activity during sleep in the symptomatic phase of severe premenstrual syndrome.   J Psychosom Res, 65(1): 13-22.

OBJECTIVE: Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common distressing disorder in women that manifests during the premenstrual (late-luteal) phase of the ovulatory menstrual cycle. There is some evidence that altered autonomic function may be an important component of PMS, but few studies have used heart rate variability (HRV) as a sensitive marker of autonomic activity in severe PMS, and findings are conflicting. METHODS: We investigated HRV during sleep, a state that is relatively free of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 18 June 2008:

Management Strategies for Premenstrual Syndrome/Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (July/August) (CE).   Ann Pharmacother.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). DATA SOURCES: Literature was obtained through searches of MEDLINE Ovid (1950-March week 3, 2008) and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology (all years), as well as a bibliographic review of articles identified by the searches. Key terms included premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMS, PMDD, and treatment. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 16 June 2008:

The role of sex steroids in catamenial epilepsy and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: implications for diagnosis and treatment.   Epilepsy Behav, 13(1): 12-24.

Despite our understanding of hormonal influences on central nervous system (CNS) function, there is still much to learn about the pathogenesis of menstrual cycle-linked disorders. A growing literature suggests that the influence of sex steroids on neurological and psychiatric disorders is in part mediated by an aberrant CNS response to neuroactive steroids. Although sex steroids such as estradiol, progesterone, and the progesterone derivative allopregnanolone (ALLO) influence numerous ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 9 June 2008:

GABA in the female brain - Oestrous cycle-related changes in GABAergic function in the periaqueductal grey matter.   Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 90(1): 43-50.

In many women, aversive psychological and somatic symptoms develop during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, when progesterone levels fall sharply. Following intravenous administration in anaesthetised rats, the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone readily gained access to the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a region involved in generating panic-like anxiety, and inhibited neural activity via actions at GABA(A) receptors. Withdrawal of female rats from prolonged systemic dosing with ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Premenstrual Syndrome published 2 June 2008:

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurement of brain glutamate levels in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.   Biol Psychiatry, 63(12): 1178-84.

BACKGROUND: Women who suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) classically display depressive and anxiety symptoms in the premenstrum. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested a role of glutamate in anxiety and depression. This investigation aims at demonstrating fluctuations of glutamate across the menstrual cycle in the medial prefrontal cortex of women who suffer from PMDD and healthy control subjects (HCs). METHODS: Twelve PMDD women and 13 HCs were randomized to two ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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