---
title: How well do SSRIs and birth control pills actually work for severe PMS?
description: SSRIs and birth control pills help some women but not as many as commonly reported. After accounting for placebo effect, approximately 40% of women with sever
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-and-initial-oral-contraceptives-for-the-2008/
---

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- How well do SSRIs and birth control pills actually work for severe PMS?

Randomised trial, 2008

# How well do SSRIs and birth control pills actually work for severe PMS?

SSRIs and birth control pills help some women but not as many as commonly reported. After accounting for placebo effect, approximately 40% of women with severe PMS still don't respond to SSRIs.

 Strong study design

Women with severe PMS (from 16 reviewed studies with at least 20 participants each)

## What they did

Reviewed published studies from 1990 onwards comparing SSRIs and birth control pills to placebo in women with severe PMS. Selected only studies with more than 20 participants that reported the actual number of women who improved, not just average improvement percentages.

## What they found

Only 16 studies provided usable data about responder rates. When researchers accounted for placebo effect, the percentage of women who didn't respond to SSRIs or birth control pills was higher than those who did respond. Approximately 40% of women with severe PMS do not respond to SSRIs even though these are considered the first-choice treatment. Birth control pills did not substantially improve response rates.

## What it means for you

These treatments help but not as many women as commonly believed when placebo is accounted for. New treatment options are needed, especially for the 40% of women who don't respond to current medications.

40%

Women who don't respond to SSRIs

16

Studies with usable responder rate data

## About the study

Original title Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and initial oral contraceptives for the treatment of PMDD: effective but not enough Authors Halbreich U Journal CNS spectrums Year 2008 Study design Randomised trial What was tested SSRIs (antidepressants) and combined oral contraceptives versus placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s1092852900016849](https://doi.org/10.1017/s1092852900016849)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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