---
title: What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD? | Niyora
description: Antidepressants called SSRIs are proven effective for severe PMDD and are the first medication to try. Lifestyle changes and exercise are recommended for all
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/management-strategies-for-premenstrual-syndrome-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2008/
---

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- What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Systematic review, 2008

# What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Antidepressants called SSRIs are proven effective for severe PMDD and are the first medication to try. Lifestyle changes and exercise are recommended for all women with PMS or PMDD.

 Strong study design

Studies of people with PMS or PMDD

## What they did

Systematic review of clinical trials, studies, and case reports from 1950 through March 2008. Searched medical databases for all studies on treating PMS and PMDD with drugs, hormones, psychological interventions, physical therapies, supplements, and surgery.

## What they found

SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline) are FDA-approved and effective for PMDD. Stopping ovulation with hormonal therapy is an option when SSRIs don't work. Anti-anxiety drugs, spironolactone, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help specific symptoms. Lifestyle modifications and exercise are first-line recommendations for all women with PMS and may be all that is needed for mild-to-moderate symptoms. Herbal and vitamin supplementation produce unclear or conflicting results.

## What it means for you

If you have PMDD, SSRIs are the medication most proven to work. For all women with PMS, lifestyle and exercise should be tried first. Many other options exist but more research is needed. Talk to your healthcare provider about what fits your symptoms and medical history.

3

FDA-approved SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)

## About the study

Original title Management strategies for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Jarvis CI, Lynch AM, Morin AK Journal The Annals of pharmacotherapy Year 2008 Study design Systematic review What was tested SSRIs, hormonal therapies, psychological interventions, supplements, lifestyle changes, exercise, surgery Read the paper [doi.org/10.1345/aph.1k673](https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.1k673)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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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Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a distinct clinical disorder?

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What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS?

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