--- title: Does sertraline taken only during the luteal phase work as well as taking it all month? description: In women who responded to sertraline taken all month, taking it only during the luteal phase worked as well for improving depression and other PMDD symptoms. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/intermittent-luteal-phase-sertraline-treatment-of-dysphoric-premenstrual-1997/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does sertraline taken only during the luteal phase work as well as taking it all month? Randomised trial, 1997 # Does sertraline taken only during the luteal phase work as well as taking it all month? In women who responded to sertraline taken all month, taking it only during the luteal phase worked as well for improving depression and other PMDD symptoms. The evidence is moderate but limited because only 15 women were studied and some dropped out of the placebo phase. Moderate study design 15 women with dysphoric PMS who met PMDD criteria ## What they did Single-blind then double-blind crossover study. 15 women with dysphoric PMS and PMDD took sertraline 100 mg per day for one full cycle to see who would respond. The 11 women who improved were then randomly assigned to receive sertraline 100 mg per day or placebo, each given only during the luteal phase in two separate pairs of cycles (four cycles total). ## What they found 11 of 14 women (79 percent) who completed the first phase improved with sertraline for the full cycle. In the double-blind crossover, sertraline given only during the luteal phase produced significant improvements in depression, impairment, and overall ratings compared with placebo. It was equally effective as full-cycle sertraline. Three women dropped out during the placebo phase due to non-response. ## What it means for you Taking sertraline only during the problem week or two may work as well as taking it all month, which could reduce side effects and cost. This is a small study from 1997 where some women dropped out of the placebo group, making the results less certain. Larger studies are needed to confirm. 15 women with dysphoric PMS enrolled 11 women who responded (79%) and completed the double-blind study 100 mg/day dose of sertraline ## About the study Original title Intermittent luteal phase sertraline treatment of dysphoric premenstrual syndrome Authors Halbreich U, Smoller JW Journal The Journal of clinical psychiatry Year 1997 Study design Randomised trial Participants 15 What was tested Sertraline 100 mg per day during luteal phase only versus placebo during luteal phase Read the paper [doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v58n0905](https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v58n0905) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[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/) 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, 2009 What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options? Randomised trial, 2000 Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function? Study, 2026 What treatments work for PMDD? Survey study, 2026 Are PMS and PMDD the same condition or are they different? Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Randomised trial, 2017 Does Sepranolone reduce symptoms of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMDD)? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗