---
title: Is taking antidepressants only at certain times as effective as taking them every day for PMS?
description: Yes. Intermittent dosing works just as well as taking them every day, with effects starting within hours and peaking within 2 days.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/intermittent-selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-for-premenstrual-syndromes-2022/
---

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- Is taking antidepressants only at certain times as effective as taking them every day for PMS?

Systematic review, 2022

# Is taking antidepressants only at certain times as effective as taking them every day for PMS?

Yes. Intermittent dosing works just as well as taking them every day, with effects starting within hours and peaking within 2 days.

 Strong study design

Women with premenstrual symptoms (across 8 studies)

## What they did

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing intermittent versus continuous dosing of SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) for premenstrual symptoms.

## What they found

Eight studies were reviewed. Intermittent dosing was as effective as continuous dosing. Response begins within hours and peaks in 2 days. The studies used sertraline and citalopram at low to standard doses.

## What it means for you

Women can take these antidepressants only when needed rather than every day, which may reduce side effects and the stigma of daily medication use.

8

randomized trials reviewed

2

days to peak effect

## About the study

Original title Intermittent Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Premenstrual Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials Authors James Phelps Year 2022 Study design Systematic review What was tested Intermittent SSRI dosing versus continuous dosing Read the paper [doi.org/10.64239/pi-qt4605](https://doi.org/10.64239/pi-qt4605)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)

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

Review, 2026

How well do SSRIs treat PMS?

Randomised trial, 2022

Do herbal medicines and nutritional supplements help relieve PMS symptoms?

Review, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

Randomised trial, 2002

Are SSRIs the best treatment for PMDD?

Study, 2026

What treatments work for PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2025

What treatments help PMS and PMDD?

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