The psychobiology of premenstrual dysphoria: review of theories and treatments

(1) Premenstrual mood changes such as depression, elation, anxiety, hostility and irritability are a common cause of disability in women. (2) The nature of the disorder, the clinical dimensions, the incidence, the psychological and psychosocial theories are reviewed. (3) A long list of treatments recommended over the years is also reviewed and discussed, illustrating the ambiguity and uncertainty in this area. (4) The relationship to other periodic functional conditions, especially manic-depressive illness is discussed with particular emphasis on predictive studies. (5) The psychoneuroendocrine mechanisms possibly involved in these premenstrual conditions are reexamined. A specific role for prolactin in the etiology of these premenstrual dysphoric states is suggested.