---
title: What treatments work for PMDD? | Niyora
description: Serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives are the most evidence-based treatments. Alternative treatments like calcium, chastebe
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2013/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- What treatments work for PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2013

# What treatments work for PMDD?

Serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives are the most evidence-based treatments. Alternative treatments like calcium, chasteberry, St. John's wort, and behavioral therapy may help but have less research supporting them.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of PMDD treatments affecting 3-8% of menstruating women

## What they did

This is a literature review that summarizes published research on PMDD treatments. It does not present a new research study but reviews existing evidence on antidepressants, hormonal contraceptives, calcium supplementation, chasteberry, St. John's wort, and behavioral therapies.

## What they found

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective and have the advantage that they do not need to be taken daily but only during the luteal phase. Ovulation suppression using contraceptives is also effective. Alternative treatments including calcium, agnus castus (chasteberry), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort), and cognitive/behavioral/relaxation therapies may be useful. PMDD affects 3-8% of menstruating women.

## What it means for you

Multiple treatment approaches exist for PMDD, with antidepressants and birth control being most proven. An advantage of antidepressants for PMDD is they do not require daily dosing like depression treatment usually does. This is a review summarizing existing research rather than new evidence.

3-8%

of menstruating women with PMDD

## About the study

Original title Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Rapkin AJ, Lewis EI Journal Women's health (London, England) Year 2013 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Various: serotonin reuptake inhibitors, hormonal contraceptives, calcium, chasteberry, St. John's wort, behavioral therapy Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2217/whe.13.62](https://doi.org/10.2217/whe.13.62)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[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/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

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

Review, 2015

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

Survey study, 2026

What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2023

Can herbs and supplements help with PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2012

What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2003

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2001

What is the best treatment approach for PMS and PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗