--- title: Does fluoxetine help severe PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: Yes. Fluoxetine significantly improved severe PMS symptoms in 15 of 16 women who completed the trial, with 8 showing almost complete remission of symptoms. Mo url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/fluoxetine-s-spectrum-of-action-in-premenstrual-syndrome-1993/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does fluoxetine help severe PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 1993 # Does fluoxetine help severe PMS symptoms? Yes. Fluoxetine significantly improved severe PMS symptoms in 15 of 16 women who completed the trial, with 8 showing almost complete remission of symptoms. Most side effects were temporary. Moderate study design 21 women with severe PMS diagnosed with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, 16 completed treatment ## What they did RCT with 21 women with severe PMS diagnosed with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder. They had a double-blind crossover trial of 20 mg fluoxetine daily versus placebo. After 3 months of baseline observation, they received 3 months each of fluoxetine and placebo in random order. Symptoms were rated daily, with monthly assessment forms and psychiatric interviews. ## What they found Fluoxetine produced marked improvement in 15 of 16 women completing the trial, with 8 showing virtually complete remission of PMS symptoms. Fluoxetine's benefit applied to emotional, physical and behavioral symptoms and was superior to placebo whether it came first or second. Three women withdrew due to adverse effects, and 10 of 16 completing the trial reported at least one adverse effect. Compared with placebo, fluoxetine produced more insomnia, sweating, gastrointestinal disturbance, and menstrual disturbance, though these were usually transient. Plasma levels of fluoxetine were not reliably associated with efficacy or side effects. ## What it means for you Fluoxetine appears highly effective for severe PMS with good tolerability. Temporary side effects like insomnia are common but often go away. The study had a small sample (16 women completed) and only tested one dose (20 mg daily). 21 women enrolled 15 of 16 who showed marked improvement on fluoxetine 20 mg daily fluoxetine dose ## About the study Original title Fluoxetine's spectrum of action in premenstrual syndrome Authors Menkes DB, Taghavi E, Mason PA et al. Journal International clinical psychopharmacology Year 1993 Study design Randomised trial Participants 16 What was tested 20 mg fluoxetine daily vs placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00004850-199300820-00003](https://doi.org/10.1097/00004850-199300820-00003) ## 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/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/) 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? Randomised trial, 2004 Does dosing sertraline continuously or just before the period work better for severe PMS? Randomised trial, 2004 What medications work for PMDD when taken only during the second half of the menstrual cycle? Review, 2004 How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD? Randomised trial, 2000 How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated? Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗