Randomised trial, 1992
Does fluoxetine (Prozac) help severe PMS?
Yes. Fluoxetine significantly improved behavioral symptoms by 75%, physical symptoms by 40%, and total symptoms by 62% compared to placebo, with no significant side effects.
What they did
A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in 8 women with severe PMS. Women took either 20 mg of fluoxetine daily or placebo for three months each, in random order, with a total study duration of six months.
What they found
Compared to placebo, fluoxetine led to significant reductions in behavioral symptoms (75% improvement), physical symptoms (40% improvement), and total PMS symptoms (62% improvement). Improvements in mood-related measures including depression, tension, and anger were also significant. No significant side effects were noted.
What it means for you
Fluoxetine appears to be an effective treatment for severe PMS, especially for mood-related symptoms. The main limit is the very small sample size of just eight women.
8
women
20
mg fluoxetine daily
62%
improvement in total symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with fluoxetine: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study
- Authors
- Wood SH, Mortola JF, Chan YF et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- 20 mg fluoxetine daily vs placebo
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1495689/
Topics
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