---
title: Are SSRIs safe and effective for treating PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes. SSRIs taken daily or intermittently are considered the first-line effective treatment for PMDD and are well tolerated.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoria-with-selective-serotonin-re-uptake-2003/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Are SSRIs safe and effective for treating PMDD?

Review, 2003

# Are SSRIs safe and effective for treating PMDD?

Yes. SSRIs taken daily or intermittently are considered the first-line effective treatment for PMDD and are well tolerated.

 Strong study design

Women with PMDD (review of multiple studies)

## What they did

Review of studies examining the effectiveness and tolerability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for PMDD treatment.

## What they found

SSRIs are effective and considered first-line therapy for PMDD, taken either continuously or intermittently. Approximately 3 to 8% of women have PMDD severe enough to significantly affect work, family, and social functioning. Most women with PMDD do not respond well to non-medication treatments.

## What it means for you

SSRIs are a proven, well-tolerated treatment for PMDD when other approaches do not work. However, the abstract does not provide specific safety data or side effects despite focusing on safety.

3-8%

Proportion of women with PMDD severe enough to affect functioning

## About the study

Original title Treatment of premenstrual dysphoria with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors: focus on safety Authors Macdougall M, Steiner M Journal Expert opinion on drug safety Year 2003 Study design Review What was tested Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), taken daily or intermittently Read the paper [doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2.2.161](https://doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2.2.161)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[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

Systematic review, 2024

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Systematic review, 2022

What are the best treatments for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Systematic review, 2012

What medications work best for PMDD?

Review, 2009

What causes PMDD and what are the treatment options?

Review, 2008

What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗