Antidepressants Bring PMS Relief

Ivanhoe Newswire
Wednesday, October 18, 2006; 12:00 AM

By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Crankiness, irritability, bloating, depression -- are these symptoms a monthly trend in your life? If you're a woman who suffers from moderate to severe PMS symptoms every month, low doses of antidepressants could provide the relief you need for a better quality of life.

In the past, more attention has been given to the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe mood disorder that affects about 5 percent of women. Although PMS is not as severe as PMDD, moderate to severe cases of PMS can interfere with normal functioning. A new study shows low doses of the antidepressant sertraline can alleviate premenstrual symptoms.

Women don't even need to take medication daily, according to study leader Susan G. Kornstein, M.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Researchers tested several different dosing methods. Women who took antidepressant medications just two weeks out of the month received the same PMS relief as those who took antidepressants continuously.

In fact, lower doses of medication may benefit women more.

"For these women with moderate symptoms, it seems the lower dose was better than the higher dose," Dr. Kornstein told Ivanhoe.

She said it was possible that women taking lower doses of the antidepressant experienced fewer side effects. However, she noted the drug doses are really too low to cause noticeable side effects, and that the treatment can be very worthwhile to any woman suffering from severe PMS.

"I'm not saying all women with PMS should take antidepressants," said Dr. Kornstein, "but those with significant distress and functional impairment, whether or not they meet the full criteria for PMDD, could have a treatment option."

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Susan G. Kornstein, M.D., Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.; The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2006;67