---
title: What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS? | Niyora
description: SSRIs are the first-line treatment for PMDD. Only calcium supplement has strong evidence among supplements, though other psychiatric medications and hormonal
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-comprehensive-review-of-treatment-options-for-premenstrual-syndrome-and-2015/
---

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- What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS?

Review, 2015

# What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS?

SSRIs are the first-line treatment for PMDD. Only calcium supplement has strong evidence among supplements, though other psychiatric medications and hormonal treatments also work.

 Strong study design

Women with PMS and PMDD (across reviewed studies)

## What they did

Reviewed treatment regimens for PMS and PMDD organized into categories: psychiatric medications, hormone-based treatments, supplements, herbal remedies, and non-drug approaches.

## What they found

SSRIs were established as first-line treatment. Other psychiatric medications (venlafaxine, duloxetine, alprazolam, buspirone) were found useful. Various hormone-based treatments showed efficacy but have side effects. Only calcium supplementation demonstrated consistent benefit among supplements and herbal treatments.

## What it means for you

Women should usually start with SSRIs for PMDD treatment. If SSRIs don't work, several other medication options exist. Most supplements and herbs lack strong evidence except calcium. More research is needed to compare different dosing schedules.

## About the study

Original title A Comprehensive Review of Treatment Options for Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Authors Maharaj S, Trevino K Journal Journal of psychiatric practice Year 2015 Study design Review What was tested Multiple treatment categories reviewed: psychiatric, anovulatory, supplements, herbal, nonpharmacological Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/pra.0000000000000099](https://doi.org/10.1097/pra.0000000000000099)

## 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/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)

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

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

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How common are PMS and PMDD, and what are the best treatments?

Survey study, 2012

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

Review, 2001

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Randomised trial, 2013

What treatments work for PMDD?

Review, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

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