---
title: Does taking sertraline only in the second half of the cycle help PMDD?
description: In this very small study, half of the women who completed treatment (3 out of 6) showed significant improvement in PMDD symptoms with luteal-phase sertraline
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sertraline-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-1999/
---

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- Does taking sertraline only in the second half of the cycle help PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 1999

# Does taking sertraline only in the second half of the cycle help PMDD?

In this very small study, half of the women who completed treatment (3 out of 6) showed significant improvement in PMDD symptoms with luteal-phase sertraline dosing.

 Early or limited evidence

6 women with PMDD at a psychiatric hospital who completed treatment

## What they did

Researchers at a psychiatric hospital studied women with PMDD. They identified 7 women with PMDD and treated them with sertraline during the luteal phase (after ovulation). Six women completed the study. Symptoms were tracked daily.

## What they found

Of the 6 women who completed the study, 3 showed significant improvement in premenstrual symptoms with sertraline given during the luteal phase.

## What it means for you

Luteal-phase sertraline may help some women with PMDD, but only half benefited in this study. The main limit is this is a very small, uncontrolled study with no comparison group, so it is not clear how well this treatment works compared to placebo or other treatments.

7

women with PMDD identified

6

completed the study

3

showed significant improvement

## About the study

Original title [Sertraline in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder] Authors Culav-Sumić J, Skocilić Z, Jukić V Journal Lijecnicki vjesnik Year 1999 Study design Non-randomised trial What was tested Sertraline during the luteal phase Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10573958/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10573958/)

## 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/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)

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

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What medications are FDA-approved for treating PMDD?

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What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Survey study, 2026

What are the causes, diagnosis, and treatments for PMS and PMDD?

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Case-control study, 2007

Are there genes that increase the risk of PMDD?

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