---
title: What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?
description: SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) are well-established for severe PMS and PMDD, taken either continuously or during the luteal phase. Cognitive-behaviour thera
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/psychotropic-medications-and-other-non-hormonal-treatments-for-premenstrual-2012/
---

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- What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?

Survey study, 2012

# What non-hormonal medications and therapies help severe PMS and PMDD?

SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) are well-established for severe PMS and PMDD, taken either continuously or during the luteal phase. Cognitive-behaviour therapy, calcium, and chasteberry may also help, though the strength of evidence varies.

 Moderate study design

Literature review synthesizing existing evidence

## What they did

Literature review summarizing existing evidence on non-hormonal treatments for premenstrual disorders, including medication types, dosing schedules, and effectiveness.

## What they found

SSRIs have well-established efficacy for severe PMS and PMDD with continuous dosing or luteal-phase dosing (from ovulation to menses). Intermittent dosing may be less effective, particularly for physical symptoms. Symptom-onset dosing needs further study. Anxiolytics, calcium, chasteberry, and cognitive-behaviour therapy may also have a role.

## What it means for you

For severe PMS or PMDD, SSRIs are the most proven non-hormonal option, but dosing schedule matters: continuous or luteal-phase dosing may work better than waiting for symptoms to start. This literature review reflects existing evidence, not a new study.

## About the study

Original title Psychotropic medications and other non-hormonal treatments for premenstrual disorders Authors Pearlstein T Journal Menopause international Year 2012 Study design Survey study What was tested SSRIs, anxiolytics, calcium, chasteberry, and cognitive-behaviour therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1258/mi.2012.012010](https://doi.org/10.1258/mi.2012.012010)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Cognitive behavioral therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-cbt/)[Calcium](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-calcium/)[Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitex/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)

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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