---
title: What is the best treatment for PMDD and severe PMS? | Niyora
description: SSRIs are first-line therapy for PMDD and severe PMS. They can be taken continuously throughout the month, only during the luteal phase, or with higher doses
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/expert-guidelines-for-the-treatment-of-severe-pms-pmdd-and-comorbidities-the-2006/
---

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- What is the best treatment for PMDD and severe PMS?

Guideline, 2006

# What is the best treatment for PMDD and severe PMS?

SSRIs are first-line therapy for PMDD and severe PMS. They can be taken continuously throughout the month, only during the luteal phase, or with higher doses in the late luteal phase depending on each person.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMDD, severe PMS, and related mood or anxiety conditions

## What they did

Expert guidelines presenting practical treatment recommendations for SSRIs in women with PMDD or severe PMS, including those with mood or anxiety disorders.

## What they found

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have emerged as first-line therapy for PMDD and severe PMS. SSRIs can be administered continuously throughout the entire month, intermittently from ovulation to the onset of menstruation, or semi-intermittently with dosage increases during the late luteal phase.

## What it means for you

There are multiple ways to take SSRIs for PMDD and severe PMS. Doctors can personalize the approach to what works for each person. This is expert guidance rather than new research data.

## About the study

Original title Expert guidelines for the treatment of severe PMS, PMDD, and comorbidities: the role of SSRIs Authors Steiner M, Pearlstein T, Cohen LS et al. Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2006 Study design Guideline What was tested Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with flexible dosing regimens Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.15.57](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.15.57)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Premenstrual exacerbation (PME)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pme/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)

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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Review, 2002

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Randomised trial, 1999

Do SSRIs reduce premenstrual dysphoria symptoms?

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What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Cohort study, 2019

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Cohort study, 2012

How quickly does fluoxetine start working for PMDD symptoms?

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