---
title: Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD? | Niyora
description: Yes. SSRIs probably reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with PMS and PMDD based on moderate-certainty evidence from 34 studies. Daily continuous use appears
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitors-for-premenstrual-syndrome-and-2024/
---

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- Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD?

Systematic review, 2024

# Do SSRI antidepressants help treat PMS and PMDD?

Yes. SSRIs probably reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with PMS and PMDD based on moderate-certainty evidence from 34 studies. Daily continuous use appears more effective than taking SSRIs only before your period.

 Strong study design

3,722 women with prospective diagnosis of PMS, PMDD, or late luteal phase dysphoric disorder across 34 studies

## What they did

Cochrane systematic review of 34 randomized controlled trials comparing five types of SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, and citalopram) to placebo in women with PMS or PMDD. Analyzed whether continuous daily use or use only during the luteal phase (the two weeks before menstruation) was more effective.

## What they found

SSRIs reduced overall premenstrual symptoms in 1,742 women with moderate-certainty evidence. Continuous daily SSRI use was probably more effective than using SSRIs only during the luteal phase.

## What it means for you

SSRIs can help reduce PMS and PMDD symptoms, with daily continuous use appearing more effective than intermittent use only before your period. This finding is based on good evidence from many studies. The main limitation is that the abstract does not fully detail the adverse effects or long-term safety of SSRIs.

3722

total women studied

34

randomized controlled trials

1742

women in main analysis

## About the study

Original title Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder Authors Jespersen C, Lauritsen MP, Frokjaer VG et al. Journal The Cochrane database of systematic reviews Year 2024 Study design Systematic review What was tested SSRIs (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, escitalopram, citalopram), continuous or luteal-phase use Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001396.pub4](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001396.pub4)

## 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/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Libido and sexual function](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sexual-function/)[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

Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

Review, 2017

What causes PMDD and what are the best treatments?

Review, 2015

What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated?

Systematic review, 2012

How effective are cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2011

What are PMS and PMDD, and how common are they?

Randomised trial, 2008

Does the antidepressant escitalopram taken only during the luteal phase reduce PMDD symptoms?

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