First Advisor
Claire Wheeler
Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health Studies: Pre-clinical Health Science and University Honors
Department
OHSU-PSU School of Public Health
Language
English
Subjects
Premenstrual syndrome, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, Menstrual health, Mental health care, Allopathic medicine, Integrative medicine
Abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affect a notable percentage of people who menstruate. PMS/PMDD have a wide range of symptoms that negatively impact mental well-being and quality of life. This review is the culmination of a database search to review current allopathic treatments for PMS/PMDD, which often include oral contraceptives and antidepressants, and explore evidence-based methods for integrative and alternative treatments to address some of the limitations of standard allopathic care, including limitations on which symptoms they address and side effects. This paper aims to examine how integrative medicine may expand existing treatments for PMS and PMDD symptoms, with a focus on mental health care. It was discovered that integrative treatments, such as medicinal plants, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acupuncture, may be used instead of or in combination with allopathic approaches to more comprehensively address mental health symptoms, individualize treatment and mitigate treatment side effects. This is necessary to provide effective mental health care to all people who menstruate who wish to address PMS/PMDD symptoms.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44044
Recommended Citation
Oja, Grace, "The Answer to Perimenstrual Distress is Not Automatically Prescription: Review of Allopathic and Integrative Approaches to Mental Health Care for PMS & PMDD Symptoms" (2025). University Honors Theses. Paper 1704.