---
title: Does saffron work for PMDD as well as fluoxetine? | Niyora
description: Saffron improved PMDD symptoms similarly to fluoxetine, with fewer side effects than fluoxetine.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/saffron-for-the-management-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-a-randomized-2020/
---

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- Does saffron work for PMDD as well as fluoxetine?

Randomised trial, 2020

# Does saffron work for PMDD as well as fluoxetine?

Saffron improved PMDD symptoms similarly to fluoxetine, with fewer side effects than fluoxetine.

 Moderate study design

120 women with PMDD

## What they did

120 women with PMDD were randomly assigned to take either 15 mg saffron twice daily, 20 mg fluoxetine twice daily, or placebo for 2 weeks during the luteal phase of their cycle for 2 menstrual cycles. Symptoms were measured with questionnaires and side effects were recorded.

## What they found

All three groups improved significantly. On one symptom measure, saffron and fluoxetine worked better than placebo. On another measure, there was no significant difference between the three groups. Fluoxetine caused significantly more side effects than saffron or placebo.

## What it means for you

Saffron might work for PMDD and has fewer side effects than fluoxetine. This was a moderate-sized study and needs to be confirmed in larger studies. Saffron could be a good natural option for women who want to avoid fluoxetine's side effects.

120

women studied

15 mg

saffron dose twice daily

20 mg

fluoxetine dose twice daily

## About the study

Original title Saffron for the Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial Authors Rajabi F, Rahimi M, Sharbafchizadeh MR et al. Journal Advanced biomedical research Year 2020 Study design Randomised trial Participants 120 What was tested Saffron 15 mg twice daily versus fluoxetine 20 mg twice daily versus placebo, for 2 weeks in luteal phase, for 2 menstrual cycles Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.4103/abr.abr_49_20](https://doi.org/10.4103/abr.abr_49_20)

## Topics

[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/)[Saffron](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-saffron/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

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.

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