---
title: Does venlafaxine help treat PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes, venlafaxine was significantly more effective than placebo. 43% of women on venlafaxine had full symptom remission compared to 25% on placebo, with most b
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/venlafaxine-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2001/
---

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- Does venlafaxine help treat PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2001

# Does venlafaxine help treat PMDD?

Yes, venlafaxine was significantly more effective than placebo. 43% of women on venlafaxine had full symptom remission compared to 25% on placebo, with most benefit appearing in the first treatment cycle.

 Strong study design

164 women with PMDD

## What they did

164 women with PMDD were randomly assigned to take venlafaxine (flexible dose 50-200 mg/day) or placebo for four menstrual cycles. Researchers measured symptoms daily using rating scales.

## What they found

Venlafaxine reduced symptoms significantly more than placebo across mood, function, pain, and physical symptoms. 43% of venlafaxine users versus 25% of placebo users had symptom remission. Approximately 80% of symptom reduction happened in the first treatment cycle. Mean dose was 50 mg/day in cycle 1 and increased to 130 mg/day in cycle 4. Side effects like nausea, insomnia, and dizziness were mild and temporary.

## What it means for you

Venlafaxine works well for PMDD and works quickly, with mild side effects. The main limitation is that we don't yet know if taking it only during the luteal phase works as well as daily dosing.

43% vs 25%

remission rates

80% reduction

symptom improvement cycle 1

130 mg/day

mean dose cycle 4

## About the study

Original title Venlafaxine in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Freeman EW, Rickels K, Yonkers KA et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 2001 Study design Randomised trial Participants 164 What was tested Venlafaxine 50-200 mg/day (flexible dosing) versus placebo for 4 menstrual cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01530-7](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(01)01530-7)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[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.

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