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.
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
Topics
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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
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