Randomised trial, 2008
Does taking paroxetine only during the luteal phase help PMDD symptoms?
Yes, paroxetine 20 mg taken during the luteal phase significantly reduced irritability in women with PMDD compared to placebo. The 10 mg dose was not significantly better than placebo.
What they did
99 women aged 18-45 with PMDD from 4 Canadian health centers tracked symptoms for 2 menstrual cycles to confirm their pattern. They were then randomly assigned to take paroxetine 10 mg, paroxetine 20 mg, or placebo during only the luteal phase for 4 more cycles.
What they found
Women taking paroxetine 20 mg had significantly greater reduction in irritability than placebo, with a 23.9% greater decrease (p=.014). Women taking 10 mg did not show a significant difference from placebo. Side effects were mild and not unexpected.
What it means for you
The higher dose of paroxetine during the luteal phase reduces irritability in PMDD, but this effect was not seen at the lower dose. The study was conducted only in Canada and divided 99 participants across three treatment groups.
99
women in the study
23.9%
greater reduction in irritability with 20 mg vs placebo
4
treatment cycles
About the study
- Original title
- Luteal phase administration of paroxetine for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Canadian women
- Authors
- Steiner M, Ravindran AV, LeMelledo JM et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of clinical psychiatry
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- Paroxetine 10 mg or 20 mg or placebo, luteal phase only, for 4 menstrual cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v69n0616
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 1998
Is intermittent citalopram during the luteal phase more effective than continuous dosing?
Randomised trial, 1995
Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does escitalopram reduce aggressive behavior in women with premenstrual anger and irritability?
Randomised trial, 2025
Does escitalopram improve attention and reduce impulsivity in women with premenstrual irritability and anger?
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)?