---
title: Does lithium help with premenstrual tension? | Niyora
description: Case reports suggested it might help, but well-designed research studies found no benefit.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-review-of-clinical-trials-of-lithium-in-medicine-1984/
---

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- Does lithium help with premenstrual tension?

Non-randomised trial, 1984

# Does lithium help with premenstrual tension?

Case reports suggested it might help, but well-designed research studies found no benefit.

 Early or limited evidence

Literature review of lithium trials in various medical conditions

## What they did

Literature review of clinical trials testing lithium in approximately 14 medical conditions, including premenstrual tension. The review examined both case reports and controlled research studies.

## What they found

Many case reports showed lithium was effective for premenstrual tension. However, well-designed and controlled research studies showed negative results overall.

## What it means for you

Early case reports were optimistic about lithium for PMS, but rigorous research studies did not confirm benefit. This shows why controlled studies are more reliable than individual case reports.

14

medical conditions reviewed

## About the study

Original title A review of clinical trials of lithium in medicine Authors Yung CY Journal Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior Year 1984 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested None - literature review Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(84)90163-1](https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(84)90163-1)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Thyroid disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-thyroid/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Review, 1998

What does research say about diagnosing and treating PMS and PMDD?

Systematic review, 2022

Do mental health disorders get worse during the menstrual cycle?

Survey study, 2026

Among women with bipolar I disorder, who is more likely to also have PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2020

How should premenstrual syndrome be diagnosed and treated?

Case report, 2013

Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder?

Review, 1999

Do SSRI antidepressants work for PMDD?

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