---
title: Does taking venlafaxine only during the premenstrual phase help PMDD?
description: Nine out of 11 women showed good improvement in their PMDD symptoms, and the medication was well tolerated. This is a very small study, so we should be cautio
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/efficacy-and-tolerability-of-premenstrual-use-of-venlafaxine-flexible-dose-in-2004/
---

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- Does taking venlafaxine only during the premenstrual phase help PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2004

# Does taking venlafaxine only during the premenstrual phase help PMDD?

Nine out of 11 women showed good improvement in their PMDD symptoms, and the medication was well tolerated. This is a very small study, so we should be cautious about how much it proves.

 Early or limited evidence

Twelve women aged 18 to 45 with confirmed PMDD who did not respond to placebo

## What they did

Twelve women with PMDD who did not improve on placebo took venlafaxine for 2 cycles. They started the medication 14 days before their period and stopped on the second day of bleeding. Doses ranged from 75 to 112.5 mg per day and could be adjusted after the first cycle based on how well it worked.

## What they found

Nine out of 11 women who completed treatment showed good response. Scores improved for depression, physical symptoms, and anger. The medication was well tolerated with no discontinuation symptoms.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual venlafaxine may help PMDD symptoms. However, this is a very small study with no comparison group beyond the initial placebo phase, so we cannot be sure the medication caused the improvement rather than other factors.

12

Women enrolled

9 out of 11

Showed good response

81.8%

Response rate

## About the study

Original title Efficacy and tolerability of premenstrual use of venlafaxine (flexible dose) in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Cohen LS, Soares CN, Lyster A et al. Journal Journal of clinical psychopharmacology Year 2004 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 12 What was tested Venlafaxine 75 to 112.5 mg per day taken only during the 14 days before menstruation Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/01.jcp.0000138767.53976.10](https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jcp.0000138767.53976.10)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[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

Systematic review, 2008

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2003

Are SSRI antidepressants effective for PMDD?

Randomised trial, 1999

Do SSRIs reduce premenstrual dysphoria symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1995

Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Cohort study, 2019

Do SSRIs help women who have both PMS and panic disorder?

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