The management of the premenstrual syndrome

Abstract

SummaryA new approach to the diagnosis and management of the premenstrual tension syndrome is discussed with special reference to an on-going trial in which 70 women with premenstrual tension (mean age 34.8 years, range 23 to 46 years) have so far been studied to assess the effectiveness of pyridoxine in relieving their distressing symptoms. The preliminary results suggest that pyridoxine, in doses ranging from 40 mg to 100 mg daily, is an effective and well tolerated form of treatment. It provided considerable benefit to over half of the women, particularly in relieving headache, oedema and bloatedness, depression and irritability.