--- title: "SSRIs for premenstrual syndrome meta-analysis. | Sutter Health" description: "Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were found to be effective in treating premenstrual symptoms, with continuous dosing regimens favored for effectiveness." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/ssris-for-premenstrual-syndrome-meta-analysis-1055312627" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. SSRIs for premenstrual syndrome meta-analysis. # Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a meta-analysis. Shah NR, Jones JB, Aperi J, Shemtov R, Karne A, & Borenstein J. _Obstet Gynecol. 111(5):1175-82. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31816fd73b._ 2008-05-01 ## Abstract OBJECTIVE: To systematically review evidence of the treatment benefits of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for symptoms related to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. DATA SOURCES: We conducted electronic database searches of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl through March 2007, and hand-searched reference lists and pertinent journals. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Studies included in the review were double-blind, randomized, controlled trials comparing an SSRI with placebo that reported a change in a validated score of premenstrual symptomatology. Studies had to report follow-up for any duration longer than one menstrual cycle among premenopausal women who met clinical diagnostic criteria for PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. From 2,132 citations identified, we pooled results from 29 studies (in 19 citations) using random-effects meta-analyses and present results as odds ratios (ORs). TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Our meta- analysis, which included 2,964 women, demonstrates that SSRIs are effective for treating PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (OR 0.40, 95% confidence interval \[CI\] 0.31-0.51). Intermittent dosing regimens were found to be less effective (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45-0.68) than continuous dosing regimens (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.18-0.42). No SSRI was demonstrably better than another. The choice of outcome measurement instrument was associated with effect size estimates. The overall effect size is smaller than reported previously. CONCLUSION: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were found to be effective in treating premenstrual symptoms, with continuous dosing regimens favored for effectiveness. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18448752) ![J.B. Jones, Ph.D., MBA](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/rIQfkoa5XfKJYCHSVrDKsACQSNJ7jTljZTHKC4Lae2E/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) J.B. Jones, Ph.D., MBA Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/jb-jones-phd-mba-1049680984) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Obstetrics and Gynecology](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Obstetrics+and+Gynecology%5C%22%22) - [Women's Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Women%27s+Health%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [The International Glossary on Infertility and Fertility Care, 2017.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/internatl-glossary-infertility-fertility-care-1055312335) Zegers-Hochschild F, Adamson GD, Dyer S, Racowsky C, de Mouzon J, Sokol R, Rienzi L, Sunde A, Schmidt L, Cooke ID, Simpson JL, van der Poel S. Fertil Steril. pii: S0015-0282(17)30429-6. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.06.005. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2017 Jul 28 - Publication ### [An open letter to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the use of morcellation procedures in women having surgery for presumed uterine myomas.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/to-fda-re-morcellation-uterine-myomas-1055312488) Parker W, Berek JS, Pritts E, et al. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. pii: S1553-4650(15)01732-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2015.12.012. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2016 Jan 08 - Publication ### [An evidence-based approach to assessing surgical versus clinical diagnosis of symptomatic endometriosis.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/surgical-vs-clinical-dx-of-endometriosis-1055312364) Taylor HS, Adamson GD, Diamond MP, Goldstein SR, Horne AW, Missmer SA, Snabes MC, Surrey E, Taylor RN. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2018 May 5. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.12521. \[Epub ahead of print\] Review. 2018 May 05 - Publication ### [World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: I. Surgical phenotype data collection in endometriosis research.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/surgical-phenotype-data-endometriosis-research-1055312881) Becker CM, Laufer MR, Stratton P, Hummelshoj L, Missmer SA, Zondervan KT, Adamson GD; WERF EPHect Working Group. Fertil Steril. 102(5):1213-22. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.709. Epub 2014 Aug 20. 2014 Nov 01 - Publication ### [World Endometriosis Society consensus on the classification of endometriosis.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/world-endometriosis-society-endometriosis-classif-1055312517) Johnson NP, Hummelshoj L, Adamson GD, Keckstein J, Taylor HS, Abrao MS, Bush D, Kiesel L, Tamimi R, Sharpe-Timms KL, Rombauts L, Giudice LC; for the World Endometriosis Society Sao Paulo Consortium. Hum Reprod. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2016 Dec 05 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/ssris-for-premenstrual-syndrome-meta-analysis-1055312627#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"SSRIs for premenstrual syndrome meta-analysis."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/ssris-for-premenstrual-syndrome-meta-analysis-1055312627#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a meta-analysis.","headline":"SSRIs for premenstrual syndrome meta-analysis.","abstract":"OBJECTIVE: To systematically review evidence of the treatment benefits of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for symptoms related to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. DATA SOURCES: We conducted electronic database searches of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl through March 2007, and hand-searched reference lists and pertinent journals. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Studies included in the review were double-blind, randomized, controlled trials comparing an SSRI with placebo that reported a change in a validated score of premenstrual symptomatology. Studies had to report follow-up for any duration longer than one menstrual cycle among premenopausal women who met clinical diagnostic criteria for PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. From 2,132 citations identified, we pooled results from 29 studies (in 19 citations) using random-effects meta-analyses and present results as odds ratios (ORs). TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Our meta- analysis, which included 2,964 women, demonstrates that SSRIs are effective for treating PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (OR 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31-0.51). Intermittent dosing regimens were found to be less effective (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45-0.68) than continuous dosing regimens (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.18-0.42). No SSRI was demonstrably better than another. The choice of outcome measurement instrument was associated with effect size estimates. The overall effect size is smaller than reported previously. 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