--- title: Does escitalopram improve attention and reduce impulsivity in women with premenstrual irritability and anger? description: Escitalopram improved attention consistency in a lab test and women reported fewer impulsive urges when taking the drug. We can be moderately confident in thi url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-intermittent-escitalopram-treatment-on-impulsivity-and-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does escitalopram improve attention and reduce impulsivity in women with premenstrual irritability and anger? Randomised trial, 2025 # Does escitalopram improve attention and reduce impulsivity in women with premenstrual irritability and anger? Escitalopram improved attention consistency in a lab test and women reported fewer impulsive urges when taking the drug. We can be moderately confident in this finding. Moderate study design 27 women with high levels of premenstrual irritability and anger ## What they did 27 women tracked PMDD symptoms over three cycles. Those with cyclical irritability/anger received escitalopram 20mg or placebo randomly (single-blind crossover) in cycles 2-3. In the luteal phase, they completed an attention test and impulsivity scale. ## What they found Escitalopram reduced self-reported irritability and anger. On escitalopram, women showed lower anticipatory responses and greater consistency in response speed on the attention test. Women reported higher urgency and lower sensation-seeking in the luteal placebo phase versus the follicular phase. ## What it means for you Escitalopram may improve attention and reduce impulsive urges in women with premenstrual irritability, suggesting impulsivity is important. The study was small and focused only on high irritability/anger, so findings may not generalize to all PMDD. Impulsivity findings rely on self-report scales, less objective than lab tests. 27 women studied 20mg escitalopram dose 3 menstrual cycles ## About the study Original title The effects of intermittent escitalopram treatment on impulsivity and inattention in women with premenstrual irritability and anger Authors Gröndal M, Englund C, Näslund J et al. Journal Psychological medicine Year 2025 Study design Randomised trial Participants 27 What was tested Escitalopram 20mg vs placebo, given intermittently during the luteal phase Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1017/s0033291725102055](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291725102055) Original abstract Background: Women diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) report significant symptom relief when treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but few studies have addressed the possibility of capturing this effect in behavioral, laboratory-based tests. This study examined the effects of intermittent treatment with escitalopram (vs. placebo) on a behavioral measure of impulsivity and inattentiveness in women reporting high levels of premenstrual irritability and anger. Methods: Participants ( N = 27) rated cardinal PMDD mood symptoms over three menstrual cycles using Visual Analogue Scales. In Cycles 2 and 3, participants displaying cyclicity with respect to the irritability/anger item received escitalopram (20 mg) or placebo in a randomized, single-blind, crossover design. The participants completed the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT 3) in the luteal phase of the intervention cycles. Additionally, they filled out the UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale, once in the luteal phase and once in the follicular phase of the placebo cycle. Results: In line with previous reports, escitalopram caused a significant reduction in self-rated irritability and anger in the luteal phase. When on escitalopram, the participants demonstrated a lower frequency of anticipatory responses and greater consistency in response speed in the CPT 3. With respect to self-reported impulsivity, participants reported higher levels of urgency and lower levels of sensation seeking in the luteal placebo phase versus the follicular phase. Conclusions: The finding that escitalopram impacted the outcome of the CPT 3 test in women with premenstrual irritability highlights the possible role of impulsivity in this condition. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[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 Cohort study, 2022 What are PMS and PMDD and how should they be diagnosed and treated? Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Randomised trial, 2003 Are SSRI antidepressants effective for PMDD? Randomised trial, 1998 Is intermittent citalopram during the luteal phase more effective than continuous dosing? Randomised trial, 1995 Does fluoxetine help premenstrual dysphoria? Survey study, 2026 Are PMS and PMDD the same condition or are they different? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗