Systematic review, 2024
Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD?
Yes. SSRIs probably reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with PMS and PMDD based on moderate-certainty evidence from 34 studies. Daily continuous use appears more effective than taking SSRIs only before your period.
What they did
Cochrane systematic review of 34 randomized controlled trials comparing five types of SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, and citalopram) to placebo in women with PMS or PMDD. Analyzed whether continuous daily use or use only during the luteal phase (the two weeks before menstruation) was more effective.
What they found
SSRIs reduced overall premenstrual symptoms in 1,742 women with moderate-certainty evidence. Continuous daily SSRI use was probably more effective than using SSRIs only during the luteal phase.
What it means for you
SSRIs can help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms, with daily continuous use appearing more effective than intermittent use only before your period. This finding is based on good evidence from many studies. The main limitation is that the abstract does not fully detail the adverse effects or long-term safety of SSRIs.
3722
total women studied
34
randomized controlled trials
1742
women in main analysis
About the study
- Original title
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Jespersen C, Lauritsen MP, Frokjaer VG et al.
- Journal
- The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
- Year
- 2024
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, citalopram), continuous or luteal-phase use
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001396.pub4
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2024
What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?
Review, 2017
What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?
Review, 2015
What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?
Systematic review, 2012
How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD?
Review, 2011
What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they?
Randomised trial, 2008
Does the antidepressant escitalopram taken only during the luteal phase reduce PMDD symptoms?