[Premenstrual syndrome: a neglected public health problem]

Rev Med Chil. 1993 May;121(5):560-6.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a clinical entity of great importance in medical practice, due to its high prevalence and its symptomatic polymorphism. In 25 to 35% of women it is a worrisome problem, that requires specialized consultation and in 5 to 10% it becomes grave, due to the extension or seriousness of symptoms. According to our personal understanding, this is a toxic-inflammatory process with multisystemic involvement that erroneously leads women to consult diverse specialists such as neurologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists etc. Each of these professionals will prescribe symptomatic treatments with uncertain or negative results. PMS and its toxic-inflammatory components apparently acquires a progressive course and the lack of causal treatment may compromise women's fertility and lead to premature and mutilant surgical practices (hysterectomy).

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / etiology
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / pathology
  • Premenstrual Syndrome / physiopathology*