---
title: Do SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?
description: Yes. SSRIs reduce symptoms of PMS and PMDD, and continuous daily dosing works better than taking the medication only during certain cycle phases.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-for-premenstrual-syndrome-and-2008/
---

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- Do SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Systematic review, 2008

# Do SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) help PMS and PMDD symptoms?

Yes. SSRIs reduce symptoms of PMS and PMDD, and continuous daily dosing works better than taking the medication only during certain cycle phases.

 Strong study design

2,964 premenopausal women with severe PMS or PMDD

## What they did

Meta-analysis combining results from 29 double-blind randomized controlled trials comparing SSRIs to placebo in women with severe PMS or PMDD. Trials followed women for at least one menstrual cycle. Total of 2,964 women analyzed.

## What they found

SSRIs were effective at reducing symptoms (odds ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.51). Continuous daily dosing was more effective (odds ratio 0.28) than intermittent dosing taken only during certain cycle phases (odds ratio 0.55). Different SSRIs performed similarly to each other.

## What it means for you

SSRIs work for PMS and PMDD. Taking them every day works better than taking them only part of the month. This finding comes from a large, high-quality analysis combining many studies. The effect is real but smaller than some earlier studies had suggested.

2,964

women analyzed

29

studies combined

0.40

odds ratio for effectiveness

## About the study

Original title Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a meta-analysis Authors Shah NR, Jones JB, Aperi J et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 2008 Study design Systematic review What was tested Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) versus placebo Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/aog.0b013e31816fd73b](https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0b013e31816fd73b)

## 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/)

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