This study investigated the efficacy of both Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs), which are commonly seen as treatment options  for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

When looking into the reports of patients who are specifically being treated for PMDD, researchers found that neither treatment option sufficiently improves the disorder. While many patients do see improvement in their symptoms, there was never a report of a patient who no longer met, or significantly reduced, the diagnostic criteria for PMDD (based on the DSM-IV).

Additionally, there was not a very strong difference in percentage of people who responded to either treatment method (65%) in comparison to those who responded to the placebo (49%), meaning that the efficacy of these treatments could be largely due to the placebo effect and the idea of being treated, rather than the medications themselves. After accounting for the placebo effect, researchers recognized that there is actually a lower percentage of people who DO respond to the treatments (36%) than those who have no response at all (35% to 47%).

Ultimately, this research concludes that SSRIs and COCs can be potential options, but are not sufficient enough treatment methods for those with either PMS or PMDD. 

Conclusions of the Study

Hirschfeld, R. M. (1999). Efficacy of SSRIs and newer antidepressants in severe depression: comparison with TCAs. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 60(5), 326-335.

Efficacy of SSRIs and Newer Antidepressants in Severe Depression

Halbreich, U. (2008). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and initial oral contraceptives for the treatment of PMDD: effective but not enough. CNS spectrums, 13(7), 566-572.

Rutgers University

References for PMDD

Inapuri, M., Kethar, J., & Appavu, R. (2023). Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Patterns, Causes, and Effects. Journal of Student Research, 12(3).

PMDD Patterns, Causes, and Effects

Halbreich, U., Borenstein, J., Pearlstein, T., & Kahn, L. S. (2003). The prevalence, impairment, impact, and burden of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD). Psychoneuroendocrinology, 28, 1-23.

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