---
title: Do SSRI antidepressants work for PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes, SSRIs are the treatment of choice for PMDD because they are effective, have acceptable side effects, and are well tolerated.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-an-update-1999/
---

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- Do SSRI antidepressants work for PMDD?

Review, 1999

# Do SSRI antidepressants work for PMDD?

Yes, SSRIs are the treatment of choice for PMDD because they are effective, have acceptable side effects, and are well tolerated.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with psychiatric disorders including PMDD

## What they did

Literature review using Medline to search for studies on SSRI medications published in English in the previous 15 years.

## What they found

SSRIs, including fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, and citalopram, are effective for PMDD and many other psychiatric conditions. Fluoxetine is safe in pregnancy. Side effects include gastrointestinal problems, headache, sedation, insomnia, activation, weight gain, impaired memory, excessive perspiration, tingling sensations, and sexual dysfunction.

## What it means for you

SSRIs are an established and well-studied treatment for PMDD. Sexual dysfunction can be a side effect that may matter to some women. This is a review of existing research rather than new research.

## About the study

Original title Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors: an update Authors Masand PS, Gupta S Journal Harvard review of psychiatry Year 1999 Study design Review What was tested SSRI medications Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/hrp.7.2.69](https://doi.org/10.3109/hrp.7.2.69)

## 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/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[Bipolar disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-bipolar/)[Major depressive disorder](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-major-depression/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)

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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