--- title: Can probiotics and an antidepressant reduce severe PMS symptoms? description: Yes. Women treated with probiotics and the antidepressant SAMe had their symptoms reduce from severe to mild. However, the improvement didn't last long after url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effect-of-lactobacillus-acidophilus-and-bifidobacterium-bifidum-administration-1996/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can probiotics and an antidepressant reduce severe PMS symptoms? Study, 1996 # Can probiotics and an antidepressant reduce severe PMS symptoms? Yes. Women treated with probiotics and the antidepressant SAMe had their symptoms reduce from severe to mild. However, the improvement didn't last long after they stopped the supplements. Moderate study design 21 young women (age 21-35) with severe PMS; 9 healthy young women as controls ## What they did Gave 16 women with severe PMS probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, 3 capsules daily) plus SAMe, an antidepressant (800 mg twice daily for 2 weeks before menstruation), for 2 months. Five other women got probiotics alone. Nine healthy women served as controls. Researchers measured gut bacteria and tracked symptoms. ## What they found After treatment, helpful bacteria increased ten-fold and most women showed improvement in gut bacteria levels. Severity of PMS symptoms decreased from severe to mild in most women studied. However, the beneficial effects didn't last long after women stopped taking the supplements. ## What it means for you This combination might help reduce severe PMS symptoms to mild levels, at least while taking them. The main limits are that benefits don't continue after stopping treatment and this tested only women with severe PMS. 21 women with severe PMS 2 months duration of treatment 10-fold increase in helpful bacteria ## About the study Original title Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum Administration on Colonic Microbiota and its Metabolic Activity in Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Elisa Bertazzoni Minelli, Anna Benini, L. VICENTINI et al. Journal Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease Year 1996 Study design Study What was tested Probiotics and SAMe antidepressant (800 mg twice daily) for 2 months Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1234-987x(199611)9:6 3.3.co;2-r](https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1234-987x(199611)9:6 3.3.co;2-r) Original abstract Composition of the microbiota and 19 faecal enzyme activities in 21 young women (age range 21-35 yrs) with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the effect of probiotics administration were studied. PMS consists in emotional, behavioural and physical symptoms that recur regularly during the second half of each menstrual cycle. Sixteen women were given a supplement of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum three capsules daily for 2 mths to relieve the gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain) plus an antidepressant drug SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), 800 mg twice daily for 2 wks before menstruation to control emotional symptoms; five women with PMS were treated with probiotics alone. Nine healthy young women were studied as controls. Faecal samples were collected on the 8th and 23rd days of the cycle before starting therapy, on the 23rd day of therapy and 1 mth after the end of therapy. Women with PMS showed low concentrations of both aerobes and anaerobes in comparison with the healthy controls. Following treatment aerobic lactobacilli increased ten-fold; L. acidophilus and B. bifidum were isolated in the majority of patients. Anaerobic gram-positive non-spore-forming rods increased in species number and frequency. During treatment a number of faecal enzymes (β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase and alkaline phosphatase) achieved levels and frequencies comparable with those determined in healthy women. Moreover, relief of some PMS symptoms was noted in the majority of women studied reducing the severity of PMS from severe to mild. Bacteriotherapy induced partial restoration of the intestinal balance, but the effect was not maintained for very long after discontinuation of treatment. Keywords: premenstrual syndrome, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum , faecal enzymes, microbiota, β-glucuronidase, S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/) 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 Randomised trial, 2026 Does aerobic or resistance exercise reduce anxiety in women with PMS? Lab study, 2026 Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD? Randomised trial, 2026 Is yoga or aerobic exercise better for reducing PMS symptoms in adolescent girls? 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