Global Premenstrual Syndrome Treatment Market Growth Drivers and Future Outlook

Defining Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to physical and emotional symptoms occurring in the latter half of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation. Symptoms typically become most pronounced during the week preceding menstruation flow.

While over 200 PMS symptoms manifest, core features include:

• Mood changes like depression, irritability, anxiety and tension
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Bloating and fluid retention
• Fatigue despite adequate rest
• Changes in appetite and food cravings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disruptions
• Headaches or muscle/joint pain

Roughly 80% of menstruating women experience at least one mild PMS symptom monthly. But 5-8% have severe, functionally impairing PMS termed premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

What Causes PMS?

While the cause of PMS remains unclear, fluctuating ovarian hormones like estrogen and progesterone are implicated as playing a role. These hormones regulate serotonin and GABA neurotransmitters influencing mood.

During ovulation, estrogen spikes substantially. But the hormone drops dramatically when progesterone secretions subsequently rise in premenstrual week. This hormone rollercoaster interacts with stress response and brain chemical balance for many women.

Existing Medications for PMS Symptom Relief

The global PMS treatment market reached nearly $17 billion in 2020. But there remains substantial unmet need for effective products managing disabling mental and physical PMS symptoms.

Oral Contraceptives

Birth control pills contain forms of estrogen and progestin that stabilize hormonal fluctuations. When traditional onset fails, extended or continuous oral contraceptive use can dampen shifts leading to PMS suffering.

Antidepressants

Boosting serotonin improves PMS mood, tension and irritability. Antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs prescribed for PMS include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Citalopram (Celexa)

These must be taken daily - avoiding inconsistent dose linkages to worsened PMS cyclic symptoms upon change or halt.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Anti-inflammatories treat aches, pain and breast tenderness accompanying PMS. Over-the-counter options include:

• Ibuprofen (Advil)
• Naproxen (Aleve)
• Aspirin

Stronger prescription alternatives reserved for severe cramping feature celecoxib (Celebrex) or mefenamic acid (Ponstel).

Diuretics

Osmotic diuretics like spironolactone (Aldactone) alleviate bloating, fluid retention and weight gain. By promoting sodium and water excretion, pills restore balance limiting shifted fluid distribution characteristics of PMS.

Sleep Aids

Over-the-counter antihistamines induce drowsiness helping offset PMS insomnia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and doxylamine succinate drugs ensure adequate sleep.

PMS Treatment Market Growth Drivers

Several factors contribute to burgeoning opportunities within the PMS treatment industry:

Increasing PMS Prevalence

PMS rates grow alongside several modern lifestyle shifts including delayed motherhood, family planning reductions, and fertility assistance conceptions. Older mothers tend to experience more severe PMS exacerbated by age factors.

Stress and sleep loss also provoke more disruptive symptoms. Escalating societal pressures raise PMS susceptibility for women immersed in anxiety-inducing environments amplified by poor self-care.

Treatment Access Expansions

While oral contraceptives and antidepressants help many, some women cannot tolerate hormones or daily medications. Stigma and lack of awareness further limit care engagement.

Broadening access avenues through telemedicine and supportive work policies empowers more willingness to seek symptom-specific PMS relief options.

Consumer Marketing Tactics

Direct-to-consumer advertising increased 37% from 2016-2020 regarding PMS and menstrual products. Targeted digital media and resonating messages compel consumers to enter the treatment market as empowered self-advocates.

Over-the-counter market growth also strengthens through influential social media endorsements and reviews reinforcing accessible options for self-care.

Future PMS Treatment Outlook

While the PMS treatment market outlook remains positive, key innovations must emerge addressing lingering unmet patient needs in the space. This includes expanded choices for those failing first line options.

Prescription Targeted Therapies

Pharmaceutical developers create new molecular entities selectively interacting with biological mechanisms PMS influences. These help avoid broad systemic effects of hormonal and anti-depressant modalities.

Neurotransmitter stabilizers, receptor antagonists and modulators introduce targeted precision medicine to PMS pharmacotherapy - especially for patients with severe dysphoric disorder.

Medical Devices and Technology

Beyond pills and injections, researchers establish physical treatment options like nerve stimulation tools and wearable biofeedback aids. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) impacts endorphin balance for pain alleviation while portable trackers help women identify and manage personal triggers.

Integrative Medicine

Nutraceuticals, complementary approaches and wellness optimization synergize with conventional treatment. Botanicals, minerals, omega fatty acids, meditation, yoga, light/heat therapy and diet leverage influence over lifestyles and stress reactivity strongly affecting PMS variability.

Expanded Pipeline Solutions

Heightened competition incentivizes innovation diversity tackling menstrually-related difficulties through diverse mechanisms. More choices emerge suiting varied patient distinctions and condition complexity - especially where first line interventions fail to alleviate dysphoria.

With heavy monthly symptom burdens disrupting work, relationships and quality of life for millions, vast opportunity abounds supporting women through market-based solutions fine-tuned to highly personalized needs.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.