---
title: Does sertraline help PMDD symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. In this study, 68% of women taking sertraline had much or very much improvement, compared to 40% taking placebo. This strongly suggests sertraline works
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sertraline-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-1996/
---

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- Does sertraline help PMDD symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1996

# Does sertraline help PMDD symptoms?

Yes. In this study, 68% of women taking sertraline had much or very much improvement, compared to 40% taking placebo. This strongly suggests sertraline works for severe premenstrual symptoms.

 Strong study design

162 women with PMDD across 12 centers

## What they did

Twelve medical centers tested sertraline (a serotonin-based medication) in 162 women with PMDD. Women either received sertraline or placebo, and researchers measured their response using careful diagnostic criteria.

## What they found

68% of the sertraline group showed positive response (very much improved or much improved) compared to 40% of the placebo group (p < .01).

## What it means for you

This is strong evidence that sertraline works for PMDD, but this was a preliminary analysis so more follow-up is needed.

68%

improved on sertraline

40%

improved on placebo

162

women studied

## About the study

Original title Sertraline in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Yonkers KA, Halbreich U, Freeman E et al. Journal Psychopharmacology bulletin Year 1996 Study design Randomised trial Participants 162 What was tested Sertraline vs placebo Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8927673/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8927673/)

## 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/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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

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How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2000

How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated?

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Does sertraline improve how women with PMDD feel and function?

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