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Study, 2017

How can women prevent psychiatric symptoms from getting worse before their period?

Semi-intermittent dosing (adjusting medicine doses in the days before the period) may help women stay stable all month. However, research on this approach is limited.

Early or limited evidence This is a clinical review and opinion piece, not a study of women

What they did

Clinicians reviewed research on premenstrual symptom flare-ups in women taking psychiatric medicine. They presented a treatment strategy called semi-intermittent dosing, where medicine doses are adjusted during the premenstrual phase.

What they found

Premenstrual worsening of symptoms can disrupt about 10 years of a woman's reproductive life. The article presents semi-intermittent dosing as a potential treatment strategy but does not provide detailed research results or success rates.

What it means for you

Adjusting medicine doses before the period might prevent symptom flare-ups. The main limitation is that evidence for this approach is sparse. Women and doctors need more research to determine if it works and how to use it safely.

10 years

Potential disruption from symptoms

About the study

Original title
Premenstrual Exacerbations: Achieving Stability All Month, Every Month
Authors
Leahy LG
Journal
Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services
Year
2017
Study design
Study
What was tested
Semi-intermittent dosing (adjusting medication doses)

Topics