Managing Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS) Using Cognitive Therapy Interventions: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Premenstrual symptoms whether physical or psychological, are universally known to affect the quality of life of women of reproductive age. There are various evidence-based intervention studies for PMS including exercise, yoga, CBT, etc, but the number of empirical studies on relaxation and cognitive psychology-based interventions such as positive self-talk and positive affirmations as an effective treatment for PMS is comparatively less. Hence, this paper reviewed research based on the potential of relaxation blended with cognitive psychology-based interventions, to improve PMS. Data was obtained through a manual search using Google Scholar. Excluding inaccessible and irrelevant studies, 15 articles were chosen for review. Findings include potential positive qualities of cognitive psychology-based interventions such as positive affirmations and positive self-talk in reducing PMS. Relaxation blended with cognitive psychology-based interventions through m-health can be considered an efficient treatment option for amelioration of premenstrual symptoms after appropriate empirical validation.