Randomised trial, 2013
What treatments work for PMDD?
Serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives are the most evidence-based treatments. Alternative treatments like calcium, chasteberry, St. John's wort, and behavioral therapy may help but have less research supporting them.
What they did
This is a literature review that summarizes published research on PMDD treatments. It does not present a new research study but reviews existing evidence on antidepressants, hormonal contraceptives, calcium supplementation, chasteberry, St. John's wort, and behavioral therapies.
What they found
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective and have the advantage that they do not need to be taken daily but only during the luteal phase. Ovulation suppression using contraceptives is also effective. Alternative treatments including calcium, agnus castus (chasteberry), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort), and cognitive/behavioral/relaxation therapies may be useful. PMDD affects 3-8% of menstruating women.
What it means for you
Multiple treatment approaches exist for PMDD, with antidepressants and birth control being most proven. An advantage of antidepressants for PMDD is they do not require daily dosing like depression treatment usually does. This is a review summarizing existing research rather than new evidence.
3-8%
of menstruating women with PMDD
About the study
- Original title
- Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Rapkin AJ, Lewis EI
- Journal
- Women's health (London, England)
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Various: serotonin reuptake inhibitors, hormonal contraceptives, calcium, chasteberry, St. John's wort, behavioral therapy
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2217/whe.13.62
Topics
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