---
title: What mood disorders affect women and how should they be treated?
description: Yes. Premenstrual depression is strongly linked to major depression and responds well to serotonin-boosting antidepressants. SSRIs are especially useful becau
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/women-and-mood-disorders-menarche-to-menopause-1993/
---

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- What mood disorders affect women and how should they be treated?

Review, 1993

# What mood disorders affect women and how should they be treated?

Yes. Premenstrual depression is strongly linked to major depression and responds well to serotonin-boosting antidepressants. SSRIs are especially useful because they have few side effects and are safe even in overdose.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of women with mood disorders from puberty to menopause

## What they did

This is a clinical review of mood disorders in women from puberty to menopause. The authors discuss connections between the menstrual cycle and mood, postpartum mood episodes, bipolar disorder in women, and the importance of early treatment.

## What they found

Premenstrual depression is very strongly linked to major depression and other mood disorders and likely to benefit from antidepressant therapy. SSRIs have low side effect profiles including low weight gain and are safe in overdoses. Women develop rapid-cycling bipolar disorder (frequent mood swings) more often than men. Women with a history of bipolar disorder are at high risk for postpartum mood episodes.

## What it means for you

Premenstrual depression is a serious condition that should be treated early with appropriate medication. SSRIs are a good choice because they are effective and well-tolerated. The main limit is that this is a clinical review, not a research study with control groups testing specific treatments.

## About the study

Original title Women and mood disorders. Menarche to menopause Authors Pariser SF Journal Annals of clinical psychiatry : official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists Year 1993 Study design Review What was tested Antidepressant treatment (SSRIs and anticonvulsants) Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/10401239309148824](https://doi.org/10.3109/10401239309148824)

## Topics

[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/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Schizophrenia and psychosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-psychosis/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

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

Guideline, 2014

What antidepressant should doctors use to treat depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Review, 2011

Can estrogen hormones treat depression linked to the menstrual cycle?

Case report, 2013

Can severe mood changes around a period be an early sign of bipolar disorder?

Review, 2002

Are women more likely to get depression, especially due to hormonal changes?

Randomised trial, 2001

Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders?

Review, 2000

Do antidepressants work differently for women, and can they help PMDD?

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