---
title: Does fluoxetine help premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: Yes, fluoxetine 20 mg daily was significantly better than placebo at relieving PMS symptoms. It did have some side effects: stomach problems, sleep problems,
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/fluoxetine-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-1997/
---

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- Does fluoxetine help premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 1997

# Does fluoxetine help premenstrual syndrome?

Yes, fluoxetine 20 mg daily was significantly better than placebo at relieving PMS symptoms. It did have some side effects: stomach problems, sleep problems, and sexual dysfunction in smaller numbers of women.

 Moderate study design

35 women with PMS identified from 440 screened

## What they did

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study. 440 women recorded their symptoms daily for 2 menstrual cycles. Only 35 met strict PMS criteria. Those 35 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine 20 mg daily or placebo for 3 menstrual cycles.

## What they found

Fluoxetine was significantly superior to placebo at reducing PMS symptoms. Common side effects were gastrointestinal irritability (15%), insomnia (11%), and sexual dysfunction (8.5%).

## What it means for you

Fluoxetine works for PMS, but many women who think they have PMS may not actually meet strict criteria when tracked carefully. The side effects are important to discuss with a doctor. Overall it was well-tolerated.

35

women with confirmed PMS

20 mg

daily dose

11%

experienced insomnia

## About the study

Original title Fluoxetine in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome Authors Ozeren S, Corakçi A, Yücesoy I et al. Journal European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology Year 1997 Study design Randomised trial Participants 440 What was tested Fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 3 menstrual cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(97)02741-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(97)02741-3)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[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.

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