Health Information
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Cause
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the more severe form, Reference premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Opens New Window, are linked to normal changes in the Reference endocrine system Opens New Window. The endocrine system makes Reference hormones Opens New Window that control the Reference menstrual cycle Opens New Window. The female endocrine system is very complex. Medical experts don't fully understand why normal hormone changes cause PMS in some women and not others.
The one direct cause that is known to affect some women is genetic: Many women with PMS have a close family member with a history of PMS.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference July 26, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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