--- title: How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD? description: Both cognitive-behavioral therapy and serotonergic antidepressants showed small to medium effects, but researchers concluded efficacy was not satisfactory and url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/cognitive-behavioral-and-pharmacological-interventions-for-premenstrual-syndrome-2012/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD? Systematic review, 2012 # How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD? Both cognitive-behavioral therapy and serotonergic antidepressants showed small to medium effects, but researchers concluded efficacy was not satisfactory and recommend combining both approaches for better results. Strong study design Women with premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder in 22 controlled trials ## What they did Meta-analysis of controlled trials comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy and serotonergic antidepressants for PMS or PMDD. Studies were selected according to pre-defined criteria, data extracted using standardized coding, and effect sizes calculated using random effects model. ## What they found 22 studies included. Cognitive-behavioral interventions showed small to medium effect sizes (d+ ranging 0.24 to 0.70 at post-assessment, 0.46 to 0.74 at follow-up). Serotonergic antidepressants showed small to medium effect sizes (d+ ranging 0.29 to 0.58 at post-assessment). No evidence of publication bias. ## What it means for you While both treatments showed some benefit, the effects are modest. The researchers suggest neither treatment alone may be sufficient and propose that combining cognitive-behavioral therapy with serotonergic antidepressants might be more effective. 22 Controlled trials included 0.24-0.70 Cognitive-behavioral therapy effect size 0.29-0.58 Antidepressants effect size ## About the study Original title Cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological interventions for premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a meta-analysis Authors Kleinstäuber M, Witthöft M, Hiller W Journal Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings Year 2012 Study design Systematic review What was tested Cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or serotonergic antidepressants Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s10880-012-9299-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-012-9299-y) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Psychotherapy, counselling and education](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-psychotherapy/) 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, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Systematic review, 2021 Can cognitive behavioral therapy treat PMS without medication? Review, 2017 What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Review, 2011 What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they? Systematic review, 2026 What types of talking therapy have been studied for PMS and PMDD? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗