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.
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
Topics
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