---
title: Does taking fluoxetine only before your period help PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes, at a dose of 20 mg per day. This dose reduced mood symptoms and physical symptoms like breast tenderness and bloating, starting 14 days before the period
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-daily-fluoxetine-for-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-a-placebo-2002/
---

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- Does taking fluoxetine only before your period help PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2002

# Does taking fluoxetine only before your period help PMDD?

Yes, at a dose of 20 mg per day. This dose reduced mood symptoms and physical symptoms like breast tenderness and bloating, starting 14 days before the period through the first day of bleeding.

 Strong study design

260 women with PMDD

## What they did

260 women with PMDD were randomly assigned to fluoxetine 10 mg daily, fluoxetine 20 mg daily, or placebo. The medication was taken from 14 days before expected menses through the first full day of bleeding, for three menstrual cycles. Women tracked symptoms daily on a computerized form.

## What they found

Fluoxetine 20 mg significantly improved luteal phase symptom scores compared to placebo; fluoxetine 10 mg did not. Both active doses helped mood symptoms. Only the 20 mg dose significantly helped physical symptoms including breast tenderness, bloating, and joint/muscle pain. Both doses were well tolerated, with similar rates of side effects.

## What it means for you

Taking fluoxetine 20 mg only during the premenstrual period effectively treats mood and physical symptoms and is well tolerated. The 10 mg dose appears less effective.

260

women studied

20 mg

effective daily dose

14 days

days before menses to start

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual daily fluoxetine for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a placebo-controlled, clinical trial using computerized diaries Authors Cohen LS, Miner C, Brown EW et al. Journal Obstetrics and gynecology Year 2002 Study design Randomised trial Participants 260 What was tested Fluoxetine 10 mg or 20 mg daily from 14 days before menses through first day of bleeding Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02166-x](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02166-x)

## 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/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[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.

## Related studies

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