---
title: Does paroxetine help severe PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, paroxetine reduced mood and anxiety symptoms significantly. However, about 50 percent of women experienced sexual side effects that persisted, and the la
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-naturalistic-study-of-paroxetine-in-premenstrual-syndrome-efficacy-and-side-1997/
---

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- Does paroxetine help severe PMS?

Non-randomised trial, 1997

# Does paroxetine help severe PMS?

Yes, paroxetine reduced mood and anxiety symptoms significantly. However, about 50 percent of women experienced sexual side effects that persisted, and the lack of a control group limits certainty.

 Early or limited evidence

18 women with severe PMS (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), treated openly.

## What they did

An open-label study where 18 women with severe PMS (PMDD) took paroxetine at flexible doses (5 to 30 mg per day) for 10 consecutive menstrual cycles. Women could choose to take it continuously or only during the luteal phase of their cycle.

## What they found

Irritability, depressed mood, increased appetite, and anxiety decreased significantly during treatment. Sedation, dry mouth, and nausea were common side effects but declined over time. However, reduced libido and anorgasmia occurred in almost 50 percent of women and persisted throughout the treatment period.

## What it means for you

Paroxetine can help mood and anxiety symptoms of severe PMS, but sexual side effects occur in about half of women and persist long-term. Without a control group, we cannot fully separate the treatment effect from placebo, though results are promising.

18

Women treated

10

Menstrual cycles

~50%

With sexual side effects

## About the study

Original title A naturalistic study of paroxetine in premenstrual syndrome: efficacy and side-effects during ten cycles of treatment Authors Sundblad C, Wikander I, Andersch B et al. Journal European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Year 1997 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Paroxetine (flexible dosage 5 to 30 mg per day) for 10 menstrual cycles. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0924-977x(97)00404-5](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0924-977x(97)00404-5)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[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

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Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria?

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