---
title: Do SSRIs and SNRIs help premenstrual dysphoria, and does timing of doses matter?
description: SSRIs and SNRIs help premenstrual dysphoria. For some women, taking them only when symptoms start works as well as taking them every day or just during the lu
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/luteal-phase-and-symptom-onset-dosing-of-ssris-snris-in-the-treatment-of-2013/
---

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- Do SSRIs and SNRIs help premenstrual dysphoria, and does timing of doses matter?

Study, 2013

# Do SSRIs and SNRIs help premenstrual dysphoria, and does timing of doses matter?

SSRIs and SNRIs help premenstrual dysphoria. For some women, taking them only when symptoms start works as well as taking them every day or just during the luteal phase.

 Moderate study design

Women with premenstrual dysphoria (studies reviewed)

## What they did

This review summarizes studies on SSRIs and SNRIs given three different ways: every day continuously, during the luteal phase only, or when symptoms start. The medications studied were escitalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine CR.

## What they found

Symptom-onset dosing (taking medication only when symptoms start) worked as well as continuous or luteal phase dosing for some women. The medications varied widely in effectiveness across different women, suggesting they work through multiple mechanisms.

## What it means for you

SSRIs and SNRIs are effective for premenstrual dysphoria. For some women, the flexible approach of taking medication only during symptoms works as well as daily dosing. The wide variation suggests these medications work through different pathways. Premenstrual dysphoria affects 3 to 8 percent of women worldwide in their reproductive years.

3-8%

of women worldwide with premenstrual dysphoria

## About the study

Original title Luteal phase and symptom-onset dosing of SSRIs/SNRIs in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoria: clinical evidence and rationale Authors Steiner M, Li T Journal CNS drugs Year 2013 Study design Study Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s40263-013-0069-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-013-0069-7)

## 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/)

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