---
title: Can the antidepressant amitriptyline help PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, in this small family study, seven women with PMS felt better after taking amitriptyline. The results suggest PMS might run in families, especially when d
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/premenstrual-syndrome-in-three-generations-responds-to-antidepressants-1990/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Can the antidepressant amitriptyline help PMS?

Study, 1990

# Can the antidepressant amitriptyline help PMS?

Yes, in this small family study, seven women with PMS felt better after taking amitriptyline. The results suggest PMS might run in families, especially when depression is involved, but more research is needed.

 Early or limited evidence

11 family members across three generations with premenstrual complaints

## What they did

A researcher identified 11 family members across three generations who had premenstrual complaints. Seven of them met the definition of PMS. Those seven were treated with amitriptyline.

## What they found

Seven women treated with amitriptyline improved.

## What it means for you

This is a very small case study of just one family. It suggests amitriptyline might help PMS and that genetics may play a role, but we need larger studies to be sure. The main limit is that it involves only one family and a small number of people.

11

family members studied

7

women with PMS who were treated

3

generations in the family

## About the study

Original title Premenstrual syndrome in three generations responds to antidepressants Authors Taghavi E Journal The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry Year 1990 Study design Study Participants 11 What was tested Amitriptyline, an antidepressant Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/00048679009077693](https://doi.org/10.3109/00048679009077693)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)

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, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Survey study, 2011

Is premenstrual syndrome related to major depression?

Randomised trial, 2004

Does dosing sertraline continuously or just before the period work better for severe PMS?

Randomised trial, 2004

What medications work for PMDD when taken only during the second half of the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2004

How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2000

How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗