---
title: Do antidepressants improve quality of life in women with PMDD?
description: Yes. SSRIs significantly improved functioning and quality of life in all studies that measured this.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/effects-of-antidepressants-on-quality-of-life-in-women-with-premenstrual-2005/
---

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- Do antidepressants improve quality of life in women with PMDD?

Review, 2005

# Do antidepressants improve quality of life in women with PMDD?

Yes. SSRIs significantly improved functioning and quality of life in all studies that measured this.

 Strong study design

Women with PMDD (review of multiple studies)

## What they did

This is a review of studies examining how antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), affect quality of life in women with PMDD. The review examined both continuous daily dosing and luteal-phase dosing, which means taking the medication only during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

## What they found

SSRIs are effective for PMDD. Both continuous and luteal-phase dosing work equally well and are well tolerated. In all studies that measured quality of life, treatment significantly improved functioning and quality of life in family relationships, work productivity, and social activities.

## What it means for you

SSRIs work well for PMDD and help women function better. However, many people still do not know this treatment is available and effective. As a review, the findings depend on the quality of the underlying studies examined.

## About the study

Original title Effects of antidepressants on quality of life in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Freeman EW Journal PharmacoEconomics Year 2005 Study design Review What was tested Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), taken continuously or during the luteal phase Read the paper [doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200523050-00003](https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200523050-00003)

## 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/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Economic burden](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-economic-burden/)

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, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

Review, 2019

What is the current evidence for diagnosing and treating PMDD, especially in Indian women?

Review, 2009

What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options?

Randomised trial, 2003

Do SSRIs (antidepressants) help PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2002

Does taking fluoxetine only during the luteal phase help PMDD?

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