---
title: Does saffron reduce PMS symptoms as well as fluoxetine? | Niyora
description: Yes, saffron reduced PMS symptoms similarly to fluoxetine and may even be better for breast and abdominal pain with potentially fewer side effects.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparison-of-saffron-versus-fluoxetine-in-treatment-of-women-with-premenstrual-2020/
---

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- Does saffron reduce PMS symptoms as well as fluoxetine?

Randomised trial, 2020

# Does saffron reduce PMS symptoms as well as fluoxetine?

Yes, saffron reduced PMS symptoms similarly to fluoxetine and may even be better for breast and abdominal pain with potentially fewer side effects.

 Moderate study design

164 working women and relatives with PMS

## What they did

Three-blind randomized controlled trial with 164 working women and relatives with PMS, divided into two groups of 82. One group received fluoxetine, the other received saffron, for 2 months. Symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire on day 5 of the menstrual cycle and with validated questionnaires (PRISM and Beck) at the end of treatment.

## What they found

Both saffron and fluoxetine reduced symptoms including abdominal bloating, depression, and mood swings. Saffron was better at relieving breast and abdominal pain than fluoxetine.

## What it means for you

Saffron may be as effective as fluoxetine for PMS with potentially fewer side effects. However, this is only one study, so more research is needed to confirm.

164

Women with PMS

82

Participants in each group

2 months

Duration of treatment

## About the study

Original title Comparison of Saffron versus Fluoxetine in Treatment of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study Authors Mohammad Nematshahi Journal Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology Year 2020 Study design Randomised trial Participants 164 What was tested Saffron versus fluoxetine for 2 months Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i2.3191](https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i2.3191)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Saffron](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-saffron/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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

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