Diagnostic and treatment results from a southeastern academic center-based premenstrual syndrome clinic: The first year

Abstract

We attempted to ascertain the following: (1) the yield of a structured workup in a premenstrual syndrome clinic coordinated by a university-based gynecology department in the southeast, (2) referral patterns and care provided before consultation, and (3) therapeutic outcomes. The first 100 women seen prospectively entered a uniform diagnostic and treatment protocol. Data analysis was performed with analysis of variance and confidence interval for a population proportion. Thirty-eight women (95% confidence interval 28% to 48%) had premenstrual syndrome, 24 had premenstrual magnification syndrome (95% confidence interval 16% to 32%), 13 had an affective or other psychiatric disorder (95% confidence interval 6% to 20%). Only 44% of women previously given a diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome were found to have premenstrual syndrome. Overall, 84% of women with premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual magnification syndrome responded to treatment. Too many women are still given the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome without appropriate prospective documentation. Premenstrual magnification represents an important diagnostic category. Therapeutic responses to present treatments are encouraging.