---
title: What happens to PMDD symptoms when women stop taking fluoxetine?
description: Symptoms return quickly. After stopping, PMDD symptoms recurred within the first cycle after discontinuation, though not back to baseline levels.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/recurrence-of-symptoms-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-after-the-cessation-of-2003/
---

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- What happens to PMDD symptoms when women stop taking fluoxetine?

Non-randomised trial, 2003

# What happens to PMDD symptoms when women stop taking fluoxetine?

Symptoms return quickly. After stopping, PMDD symptoms recurred within the first cycle after discontinuation, though not back to baseline levels.

 Moderate study design

Women with PMDD from two clinical trials (specific sample size not provided)

## What they did

Retrospective analysis of two clinical trials where patients received fluoxetine or placebo for three cycles with various dosing regimens, followed by one cycle of placebo. Relapse was assessed after treatment stopped using multiple symptom rating scales.

## What they found

PMDD symptoms significantly increased after discontinuation. Symptoms returned within the first cycle after stopping treatment. The fluoxetine group was no longer significantly superior to placebo after stopping.

## What it means for you

PMDD symptoms return quickly after stopping medication, suggesting PMDD is a distinct condition from depression that may require ongoing treatment.

3

cycles of active fluoxetine treatment

1

cycle of placebo observation

2

clinical trials analyzed

## About the study

Original title Recurrence of symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder after the cessation of luteal-phase fluoxetine treatment Authors Pearlstein T, Joliat MJ, Brown EB et al. Journal American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Year 2003 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Fluoxetine for three cycles at various dosages versus placebo, followed by placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1067/mob.2003.207](https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2003.207)

## 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/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)

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