---
title: Are SSRIs (antidepressants) effective for severe premenstrual syndrome?
description: Yes, SSRIs are highly effective. However, side effects cause 2.5 times more people to stop taking them compared to placebo, especially at higher doses.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-for-premenstrual-syndrome-2002/
---

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- Are SSRIs (antidepressants) effective for severe premenstrual syndrome?

Systematic review, 2002

# Are SSRIs (antidepressants) effective for severe premenstrual syndrome?

Yes, SSRIs are highly effective. However, side effects cause 2.5 times more people to stop taking them compared to placebo, especially at higher doses.

 Strong study design

844 women with severe premenstrual syndrome or PMDD

## What they did

Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Researchers found 31 trials, excluded 16, and included 15 in the review. The main analysis used data from 10 trials with 844 women with severe PMS or PMDD (a severe form of PMS classified as a mental health disorder).

## What they found

SSRIs were highly effective at reducing overall premenstrual symptoms. They worked equally well for physical symptoms and behavioural symptoms. Withdrawals due to side effects were 2.5 times more likely in the SSRI group, particularly at higher doses. There was no significant difference between trials funded by drug companies and independently funded trials.

## What it means for you

SSRIs are a proven treatment for severe PMS. Many studies support this. The main drawback is that side effects cause about 2.5 times more women to stop taking them, especially at higher doses.

844

Women included in analysis

2.5

Times more likely to stop due to side effects

15

Trials included in review

## About the study

Original title Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome Authors Wyatt KM, Dimmock PW, O'Brien PM Journal The Cochrane database of systematic reviews Year 2002 Study design Systematic review What was tested SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) vs placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001396](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001396)

## 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/)

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

Review, 2026

How well do SSRIs treat PMS?

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2024

Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

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