---
title: What predicts whether sertraline will help someone with severe PMS?
description: Your symptom severity during the non-period part of your cycle predicts how well sertraline will work, but depression levels and demographic factors do not. O
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/predictors-of-response-to-sertraline-treatment-of-severe-premenstrual-syndromes-2000/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- What predicts whether sertraline will help someone with severe PMS?

Randomised trial, 2000

# What predicts whether sertraline will help someone with severe PMS?

Your symptom severity during the non-period part of your cycle predicts how well sertraline will work, but depression levels and demographic factors do not. Over 60% of people respond well to sertraline in controlled studies.

 Moderate study design

62 people with severe PMS or PMDD

## What they did

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 62 people with severe PMS or PMDD. All completed 3 screening cycles, including a single-blind placebo washout, before receiving 3 cycles of double-blind treatment with sertraline or placebo. Researchers examined demographic factors, medical history, and symptom ratings to predict who would respond to sertraline.

## What they found

Baseline postmenstrual symptom ratings independently predicted PMS symptoms after sertraline treatment. Depression ratings, medical history variables, and demographic variables were not significantly predictive of response to sertraline.

## What it means for you

If you have worse symptoms during your non-period weeks, it may help doctors predict how you will respond to sertraline. The study shows that characteristics other than depression influence treatment response. It does not explain why this relationship exists.

62

participants

3

screening cycles

>60%

responded well to sertraline

## About the study

Original title Predictors of response to sertraline treatment of severe premenstrual syndromes Authors Freeman EW, Sondheimer SJ, Polansky M et al. Journal The Journal of clinical psychiatry Year 2000 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Sertraline antidepressant versus placebo for 3 cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v61n0807](https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v61n0807)

## 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/)[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

Randomised trial, 2000

Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function?

Randomised trial, 1997

Does sertraline reduce PMDD symptoms and improve women's ability to function?

Study, 2026

What treatments work for PMDD?

Cohort study, 2022

What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated?

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Study, 2022

What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of PMS and PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗