eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: Surgery > Gynecology

Premenstrual Syndrome: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Megan A Moreno, MD, MEd, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health
Coauthor(s): Ann E Giesel, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of General Pediatrics, Section on Adolescent Medicine, University of Washington; Cara Beth Rogers, University of Rochester; Liana Roxanne Clark, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Apr 13, 2009

Differential Diagnoses

Somatoform Disorder: Pain

Other Problems to Be Considered

Depression
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Dysmenorrhea12,14

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • No laboratory studies currently reliably assist in the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Imaging Studies

  • Imaging studies are not needed to make the diagnosis, but they may be helpful to exclude other etiologies.

Other Tests

  • If depression is a concern, consider using a depression inventory to assess the patient.

More on Premenstrual Syndrome

Overview: Premenstrual Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Premenstrual Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Premenstrual Syndrome
Follow-up: Premenstrual Syndrome
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

premenstrual syndrome, PMS, menstrual molimina, premenstrual tension, menses, period, menstrual period, menstruation, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMDD, PDD, hypoprolactinemia, obesity, smoking, mastalgia, edema, difficulty sleeping, tense feelings, irritability, clumsiness, mood swings, headaches, cravings, depression, weight gain, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, dysmenorrhea, hot flashes, frequent urination, upper respiratory infection

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Megan A Moreno, MD, MEd, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health
Megan A Moreno, MD, MEd, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Adolescent Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ann E Giesel, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of General Pediatrics, Section on Adolescent Medicine, University of Washington
Ann E Giesel, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Adolescent Medicine and Washington State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cara Beth Rogers, University of Rochester
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Liana Roxanne Clark, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Liana Roxanne Clark, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and Society for Adolescent Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Elizabeth Alderman, MD, Director of Fellowship Training Program, Director, Adolescent Ambulatory Service, Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center
Elizabeth Alderman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and Society for Adolescent Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Wayne Wolfram, MD, MPH, Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and University of Cincinnati
Wayne Wolfram, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine
Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Andrea L Zuckerman, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine; Division Director, Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center
Andrea L Zuckerman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and Society for Adolescent Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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