---
title: Do SSRIs (antidepressants) help women with severe PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes. This systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials with 904 women concluded that SSRIs reduce PMS symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/review-selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-reduce-symptoms-in-premenstrual-2001/
---

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- Do SSRIs (antidepressants) help women with severe PMS?

Randomised trial, 2001

# Do SSRIs (antidepressants) help women with severe PMS?

Yes. This systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials with 904 women concluded that SSRIs reduce PMS symptoms.

 Strong study design

904 women with severe PMS across 15 randomized controlled trials

## What they did

Researchers searched multiple medical databases for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials testing SSRIs for severe PMS. They identified 15 studies that met their criteria, involving 904 women total.

## What they found

The 15 studies showed that SSRIs reduce overall PMS symptoms in women with severe PMS.

## What it means for you

SSRIs are effective for severe PMS. This is strong evidence because it pools results from 15 controlled trials with a large total number of women. The studies were well-designed with blinding and control groups.

15

studies in the review

904

women total

## About the study

Original title Review: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors reduce symptoms in premenstrual syndrome Authors Robert Craft Smith Journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine Year 2001 Study design Randomised trial Participants 904 What was tested Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1136/ebm.6.3.75](https://doi.org/10.1136/ebm.6.3.75)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[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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Randomised trial, 2023

Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

Guideline, 2023

How are GnRH agonists used to treat PMDD that doesn't respond to standard medications?

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