---
title: Can lithium help treat PMDD when other medications are not an option?
description: Yes, based on one case. A woman with PMDD and a family history of bipolar disorder responded well to lithium treatment.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/lithium-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-a-case-report-2024/
---

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- Can lithium help treat PMDD when other medications are not an option?

Case report, 2024

# Can lithium help treat PMDD when other medications are not an option?

Yes, based on one case. A woman with PMDD and a family history of bipolar disorder responded well to lithium treatment.

 Early or limited evidence

One woman with PMDD and a family history of bipolar disorder

## What they did

Case report of one woman with PMDD and a family history of bipolar disorder who was treated with lithium as the only medication.

## What they found

The woman responded well to lithium treatment for PMDD.

## What it means for you

Lithium may help treat PMDD in women with a family history of bipolar disorder or who cannot use standard medications. Since both PMDD and bipolar disorder involve mood cycles and hormonal changes, lithium (normally used for bipolar disorder) might help some women with PMDD. This is only one case, so more research is needed. Lithium has serious side effects and requires regular blood monitoring.

1

Number of cases reported

## About the study

Original title Lithium in the Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Case Report Authors Güllülü RA, Muştucu A, Akkaya C Journal Turk psikiyatri dergisi = Turkish journal of psychiatry Year 2024 Study design Case report What was tested Lithium monotherapy (lithium as sole medication) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.5080/u27350](https://doi.org/10.5080/u27350)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)

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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