Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
Archives of Women's Mental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We systematically reviewed empirical studies that investigated the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Our multi-database search identified seven published empirical reports. Three were identified as randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The methods utilized to investigate therapeutic efficacy of CBT in these studies varied widely from case reports to RCTs with pharmacotherapy comparison groups. Initially we provide a brief overview of CBT and justifications for its potential use to treat PMS/PMDD. Next, we provide critical evaluations of the analyses used in each study focusing on the detection of intervention effects assessed by statistically significant time by group interactions. When possible we calculate effect sizes to elucidate the clinical significance of results. Our review revealed a dearth of evidence providing statistically significant CBT intervention effects. Issues such as overall time investment, latency to treatment effects, and complementary and combined therapies are considered. We present a theoretical argument for applying mindfulness- and acceptance-based CBT interventions to PMS/PMDD and suggest future research in this area. In conclusion, to produce the necessary evidence-base support for PMS/PMDD given the limited empirical evidence reported here, researchers are called on to produce methodologically rigorous investigations of psychosocial interventions for PMS/PMDD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2000) Clinical management guidelines for Obstetrician-Gynecologists: premenstrual syndrome. ACOG Pract Bull 15:3–8

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1987) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edition—Revised). American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition—Text Revision). American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (2003) Evidence-based clinical practice guideline: cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort: Nursing management. Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Washington (DC), p 48

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck AT, Epstein N, Brown G, Steer RA (1988) An inventory for measuring clinical anxiety: psychometric properties. J Consult Clin Psychol 56:893–897

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beck AT, Ward CH, Mendelsohn M, Mock J, Erbaugh J (1961) An inventory for measuring depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry 18:561–571

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson H (1975) The relaxation response. HarperTourch, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard ME (1990) Validation of general attitude and belief scale. Paper presented at the World Congress on Mental Health Counseling, Keystone, CO, 1990

  • Blake F, Salkovskis P, Gath D, Day A, Garrod A (1998) Cognitive therapy for premenstrual syndrome: a controlled trial. J Psychsom Res 45:307–318

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broadbent DE, Cooper PF, Fitzgerald P, Parkes KR (1982) The cognitive failures questionnaire (CFQ) and its correlates. Br J Clin Psychol 21:1–16

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen AP, Oei TPS (1995) The efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy in treating premenstrual dysphoric changes. J Affect Disord 33:57–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clare AW, Wiggens RD (1979) The construction of a modified version of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire for use in general practice populations. In: Carenza AL, Zichella L (eds) Emotions and reproduction, vol. 20. Academic Press, London, pp 177–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper P, Osborn M, Gath D, Feggetter G (1982) Evaluation of a modified self-report measure of social adjustment. Br J Psychiatry 141:68–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crowne MJ (1978) Conjoint marital therapy: a controlled outcome study. Psychol Med 8:623–636

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugas MJ, Ladouceur R, Léger E, Freeston MH, Langolis F, Provencher MD, Boisvert JM (2003) Group cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: treatment outcome and long-term follow-up. J Consult and Clin Psychol 71:821–825

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endicott J, Nee J, Cohen J, Halbreich U (1986) Premenstrual changes: patterns and correlates of daily ratings. J Affect Disord 10:127–135

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eysenck HJ, Eysenck SBG (1975) Manual of the Eysenck personality questionnaire. Hodder & Stoughton, Sevenoaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman G (2007) Cognitive behavioral therapies for depression: overview, new directions, and practical recommendations for dissemination. Psychiat Clin of North America 30:39–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg DP (1978) Manual of the General Health Questionnaire. NFER, Slough

    Google Scholar 

  • Halbreich V, Endicott J, Schacht S, Nee J (1982) The diversity of premenstrual changes as reflected in the premenstrual assessment form. Acta Psychiatr Scand 65:46–65

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes SC (2004) Acceptance and commitment therapy, relational frame theory, and the third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies. Behav Ther 35:639–665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes SC, Strosahl KD, Wilson KG (2003) Acceptance and commitment therapy: an experiential approach to behavior change. Guilford, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman BM, Papas RK, Chatkoff DK, Kerns RD (2007) Meta-analysis of psychological interventions for chronic low back pain. Health Psychol 26:1–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollon SD, Kendall PC (1980) Cognitive self-statements in depression: development of an automatic thoughts questionnaire. Cogn Ther Res 4:383–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter M (2003) Cognitive behavioural interventions for premenstrual and menopausal symptoms. J Reprod Infant Psychol 21:183–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter MS, Ussher JM, Cariss M, Browne SJ, Jelley R, Katz M (2002) A randomized comparison of psychological (cognitive behavior therapy), medical (fluoxetine) and combined treatment for women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 23:193–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkby RJ (1994) Changes in premenstrual symptoms and irrational thinking following cognitive behavioral coping skills training. J Consult Clin Psychol 61:1026–1032

    Google Scholar 

  • Lustyk MKB, Gerrish WG (2009) Premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: issues of quality of life, stress, and exercise. In: Preedy VA, Watson RR (eds) Handbook of disease burdens and quality of life measures. Springer, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Lustyk MKB, Widman L, Paschane A, Ecker E (2004) Stress, quality of life and physical activity in women with varying degrees of premenstrual symptomatology. Women Health 39:35–44

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt GA, Donovan DM (2007) Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors, 2nd edn. Guilford, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Messina N, Farabee D, Rawson R (2003) Treatment responsivity of cocaine-dependent patients with antisocial personality disorder to cognitive-behavioral and contingency management interventions. J Consult Clinic Psychol 71:320–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moos RH (1968) The development of a menstrual distress questionnaire. Psychosom Med 30:853–867

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morse CA, Bernard ME, Dennerstein L (1989) The effects of rational-emotive therapy and relaxation training on premenstrual syndrome: a preliminary study. J Rational-Emotive & Cog-Behav Ther 7:98–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morse CA, Dennerstein L, Farrell E, Varnavides K (1991) A comparison of hormone therapy, coping skills training, and relaxation for the relief of premenstrual syndrome. J Behav Med 14:469–489

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mortola JK, Girton L, Beck L, Yen SS (1990) Diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome by a simple prospective and reliable instrument: The calendar of menstrual experiences. Obstet Gynaecol 76:302–307

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nathan PE, Gorman JM (2002) A guide to treatments that work. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connell AA, McCoach B (2004) Applications of hierarchical linear models for evaluations of health interventions: demystifying the methods and interpretations of multilevel models. Eval Health Prof 17:119–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Donohue WT, Fisher JE, Hayes SC (2003) Cognitive behavioral therapy: applying empirically supported techniques in your practice. Wiley, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Olatunji BO, Feldman G (2008) Cognitive behavioral therapy. In: Hersen M, Gross AM (eds) Handbook of clinical psychology. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 551–584

    Google Scholar 

  • Paykel ES, Myers JK, Dienelt MN, Klerman GL, Lindenthal JJ, Pepper MP (1969) Life events and depression. A controlled study. Arch Gen Psychiatry 21:753–760

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp BA, Taylor DL, Thomas KK, Killeen MB, Dawood MY (2002) Cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort: The scientific basis for practice. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 31:637–649

    Google Scholar 

  • Slade P (1989) Psychological therapy for premenstrual emotional symptoms. Behav Psychother 17:135–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger CD (1979) Preliminary manual for the state-trait personality inventory (STPI). University of Southern Florida, Tampa

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger CD, Gorusch RL, Luschene RE (1970) STAI manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory. Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor D (2005) Perimenstrual symptoms and syndromes: Guidelines for symptom management and self-care. Advanced Studies in Med 5:228–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Ussher JM, Hunter M, Cariss M (2002) A women-centered psychological intervention for premenstrual symptoms, drawing on cognitive-behavioral and narrative therapy. Clin Psychol Psychother 9:319–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wing JK, Cooper E, Sartorius N (1974) The measurement and classification of psychiatric symptoms. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lustyk Women’s Health Lab, School of Psychology, Family, and Community, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, USA

    M. Kathleen B. Lustyk

  2. Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA, USA

    M. Kathleen B. Lustyk

  3. Lustyk Women’s Health Lab, School of Psychology, Family, and Community, Seattle Pacific University, 3307 Third Ave. West, Suite 107, Seattle, WA, 98119, USA

    Winslow G. Gerrish & Shelley Shaver

  4. Evergreen Women’s Care, PLLC, Kirkland, WA, USA

    Shaunie L. Keys

Authors
  1. M. Kathleen B. Lustyk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Winslow G. Gerrish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shelley Shaver
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shaunie L. Keys
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Winslow G. Gerrish.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lustyk, M.K.B., Gerrish, W.G., Shaver, S. et al. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review. Arch Womens Ment Health 12, 85–96 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0052-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0052-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation