---
title: Does taking sertraline only during the luteal phase work for PMDD?
description: Yes. The FDA has approved sertraline taken only during the luteal phase for PMDD. It works within days and produces no significant discontinuation side effect
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-with-luteal-phase-dosing-of-2003/
---

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- Does taking sertraline only during the luteal phase work for PMDD?

Review, 2003

# Does taking sertraline only during the luteal phase work for PMDD?

Yes. The FDA has approved sertraline taken only during the luteal phase for PMDD. It works within days and produces no significant discontinuation side effects when stopped each cycle.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMDD (5-8% of women of reproductive age)

## What they did

Expert review article. The authors reviewed evidence for sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant, as a treatment for PMDD when dosed only in the luteal phase. PMDD is a severe form of PMS affecting 5-8% of women of reproductive age.

## What they found

Sertraline is effective for PMDD at luteal-phase dosing with clinical response within several days. No significant discontinuation side effects were reported despite repeated stopping and restarting cycles. Luteal-phase dosing minimizes side effects while reducing the burden of continuous medication.

## What it means for you

If you have PMDD, taking an antidepressant only during the week before your period can work well. You avoid daily medication and ongoing side effects. This is an established FDA-approved treatment. This is a review article summarizing existing evidence, not a new research study.

5-8%

Women with PMDD

## About the study

Original title Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with luteal phase dosing of sertraline Authors Halbreich U, Kahn LS Journal Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy Year 2003 Study design Review What was tested Sertraline at luteal phase dosing Read the paper [doi.org/10.1517/14656566.4.11.2065](https://doi.org/10.1517/14656566.4.11.2065)

## 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/)

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?

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Systematic review, 2024

Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

Review, 2022

What causes severe PMS and what treatments work?

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