---
title: Does taking fluoxetine only during the luteal phase help PMDD?
description: Taking fluoxetine 90 mg twice during the luteal phase significantly improved PMDD symptoms, mood, social functioning, and quality of life compared to placebo
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/weekly-luteal-phase-dosing-with-enteric-coated-fluoxetine-90-mg-in-premenstrual-2002/
---

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- Does taking fluoxetine only during the luteal phase help PMDD?

Randomised trial, 2002

# Does taking fluoxetine only during the luteal phase help PMDD?

Taking fluoxetine 90 mg twice during the luteal phase significantly improved PMDD symptoms, mood, social functioning, and quality of life compared to placebo or taking it once. This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with 257 women.

 Strong study design

257 women with PMDD from Canadian university clinics

## What they did

In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 257 women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: fluoxetine 90 mg given twice during the luteal phase (14 and 7 days before menses), fluoxetine 90 mg given once (7 days before menses), or placebo. Treatment lasted 3 menstrual cycles.

## What they found

Among 257 women, those taking fluoxetine twice during the luteal phase had significantly greater improvements in symptom scores and mood compared to the other two groups. They also showed greater improvements in social functioning and quality of life for work and family. Only 5 women discontinued due to non-serious adverse events across all treatment groups.

## What it means for you

Taking fluoxetine twice during the luteal phase helps PMDD more than placebo or taking it once weekly. It improves mood, social functioning, and quality of life. This is from a good-sized randomized trial, though other studies would help confirm the findings.

257

women randomized

3

menstrual cycles of treatment

90 mg

fluoxetine dose

## About the study

Original title Weekly luteal-phase dosing with enteric-coated fluoxetine 90 mg in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial Authors Miner C, Brown E, McCray S et al. Journal Clinical therapeutics Year 2002 Study design Randomised trial Participants 5 What was tested Enteric-coated fluoxetine 90 mg given once or twice during the luteal phase for 3 menstrual cycles Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0149-2918(02)85043-3](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0149-2918(02)85043-3)

## 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/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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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Does taking sertraline when PMDD symptoms start improve how well women function?

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What is the current evidence for diagnosing and treating PMDD, especially in Indian women?

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Randomised trial, 2000

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