---
title: Do SSRIs or birth control pills work better for moderate to severe PMS?
description: Both SSRIs and combined oral contraceptive pills significantly improved symptoms. SSRIs were slightly better for psychological symptoms, but both treatments w
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/comparison-between-combined-oral-contraceptive-pills-and-selective-serotonin-2024/
---

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- Do SSRIs or birth control pills work better for moderate to severe PMS?

Cohort study, 2024

# Do SSRIs or birth control pills work better for moderate to severe PMS?

Both SSRIs and combined oral contraceptive pills significantly improved symptoms. SSRIs were slightly better for psychological symptoms, but both treatments worked similarly overall.

 Moderate study design

150 women with moderate to severe PMS

## What they did

Prospective cohort study of 150 women, divided equally between two groups: 75 took SSRIs and 75 took combined oral contraceptive pills. Researchers compared how well each drug reduced psychological and physical PMS symptoms.

## What they found

Both groups improved significantly from moderate-to-severe symptoms to none-to-mild. SSRIs showed slight superiority for psychological symptoms specifically.

## What it means for you

Both SSRIs and birth control pills effectively treat moderate to severe PMS. SSRIs may be slightly better for mood-related symptoms. However, there was no placebo control group for comparison.

150

total women

75

women in each group

## About the study

Original title Comparison Between Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in the Management of Moderate to Severe Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Ali Ahmad Aldos, Ahmad Ayman Yousef, Maisoon Dayoub Journal International Journal of Medical Science Year 2024 Study design Cohort study Participants 150 What was tested Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or combined oral contraceptive pills Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.14445/23939117/ijms-v11i3p108](https://doi.org/10.14445/23939117/ijms-v11i3p108)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)

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