---
title: Should surgery be used to treat PMDD? | Niyora
description: Surgery (removing both ovaries and uterus, followed by low-dose estrogen therapy) can be effective for PMDD, but only for women who don't respond to medicatio
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/when-should-surgical-treatment-be-considered-for-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2012/
---

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- Should surgery be used to treat PMDD?

Review, 2012

# Should surgery be used to treat PMDD?

Surgery (removing both ovaries and uterus, followed by low-dose estrogen therapy) can be effective for PMDD, but only for women who don't respond to medications or cannot tolerate them.

 Early or limited evidence

Women of reproductive age with premenstrual mood disorders

## What they did

Reviewed evidence on surgical treatment of PMDD, specifically oophorectomy (removing the ovaries) with concomitant hysterectomy (removing the uterus) followed by low-dose estrogen therapy.

## What they found

Oophorectomy with concomitant hysterectomy followed by low-dose estrogen therapy was shown to be an effective alternative for women with menstrual-cycle-related mood disorder who fail medical treatment or cannot tolerate medications.

## What it means for you

Surgery is a last resort for women who cannot tolerate or do not respond to medical treatments. The procedure is permanent and irreversible with significant risks, so should only be considered in severe cases after all other options are exhausted.

## About the study

Original title When should surgical treatment be considered for premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Authors Reid RL Journal Menopause international Year 2012 Study design Review What was tested Oophorectomy with hysterectomy followed by low-dose estrogen therapy Read the paper [doi.org/10.1258/mi.2012.012009](https://doi.org/10.1258/mi.2012.012009)

## 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/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)

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

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Review, 2012

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

Review, 2018

How should doctors diagnose and treat PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2014

Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?

Survey study, 2012

Do women with PMDD have different ovaries or hormones than women without it?

Review, 2012

What causes PMS and PMDD?

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