PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?
PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?Skip to the navigationYou may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?Get the factsYour options- Try an SSRI medicine to reduce PMS symptoms.
- Try lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms.
Key points to remember- You may get relief from your PMS symptoms by eating healthy
foods and by getting enough calcium, vitamin B6, and magnesium. Regular
exercise can also help, as can cutting back on caffeine. If you smoke, quit.
After two or three menstrual cycles, you're likely to feel better.
- For premenstrual and menstrual pain, try ibuprofen, aspirin, or
another
anti-inflammatory medicine. These medicines block
the pain-producing
chemicals that increase in the days before your
period.
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) can help with
severe PMS symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, and muscle
pain. Most women get relief from PMS symptoms within a few days after they
start using the medicine, but it may take longer.
- You can choose
to take an SSRI every day or only on the days before your period. If your symptoms completely go away during your period,
taking an SSRI only on premenstrual days is likely to work for you. But if you
have symptoms such as depression or anxiety all the time, taking an SSRI every
day may be a better choice.
- If you are trying to get pregnant,
talk with your doctor. Taking medicines for PMS in the early weeks of pregnancy
could increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects.
- Your doctor may recommend another treatment
instead of SSRIs if you have had a
manic episode, if you have
bipolar disorder or a seizure problem, or if you take
another medicine that can't be used along with an SSRI.
FAQs Most women have
tender breasts, bloating, and muscle aches a few days before they start their
menstrual periods. These are normal premenstrual
symptoms. But when they get in the way of your work or daily life, they are
called
premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. PMS can affect your
body as well as your mood. Sometimes it can make you change the way you act.
PMS symptoms can be mild or strong. If your symptoms are very
bad, you may have
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). But PMDD is
not as common. SSRIs are a type of medicine that can restore the balance of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This may help relieve physical and emotional symptoms of PMS. SSRIs are also used to treat
depression,
anxiety, menopause
hot flashes, and
chronic pain. SSRIs are often the
first-choice medicine for treating severe PMS and PMDD symptoms, such
as: - Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Irritability.
- Anger.
- Mood
swings.
- Breast tenderness and bloating.
- Headaches,
joint pain, and muscle pain.
You can choose to take an SSRI every day or only on
premenstrual days. If you have PMS symptoms that
completely go away during your period, taking an SSRI only on premenstrual days
is likely to work for you. But if you have symptoms such as depression or
anxiety all the time, taking an SSRI every day may be a better choice. There are several kinds of
SSRIs for PMS. Each can affect your mood in a
different way. One medicine may not be right for you, but another may work
well. Most women feel better within a few days after they start taking the
medicine, but it can take longer. Your
doctor may recommend treatment other than SSRIs if you have had a
manic episode, if you have
bipolar disorder or a seizure problem, or if you take
another medicine that can't be used along with an SSRI. Side effects
of SSRIs are common but not serious. But some people stop taking the medicine
because of side effects. Some of these side effects
will go away after you take the medicine for several weeks. Side effects
include: - Nausea, appetite changes, and weight loss.
- Headache.
- Tiredness and trouble sleeping.
- Nervousness.
- Lack of sexual desire, arousal, or
orgasm.
- Dizziness.
- Tremors.
- Dry mouth.
- Rash (rare).
- Weight gain (rare), with long-term
use.
If you are trying to get pregnant, talk with your doctor.
Taking medicines for PMS in the early weeks of pregnancy could increase your
chance of having a baby with birth defects. FDA advisories. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has issued: - An advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of suicide.
- A warning about taking triptans, used for headaches, with SSRIs
(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (selective
serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Taking these medicines together
can cause a very rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Your doctor may advise you to try an SSRI if: - Your PMS symptoms are getting in the way of
your work or daily life.
- You have another health problem, such as
depression, anxiety, or chronic pain, that could be helped with SSRI
treatment.
Compare your options | |
|---|
What is usually involved? |
| |
|---|
What are the benefits? |
| |
|---|
What are the risks and side effects? |
| |
|---|
Try an SSRI for
premenstrual symptoms Try an SSRI for
premenstrual symptoms - You take medicine every day or only
on the days before your period.
- Most women feel better within a few
days after they start taking medicine.
- Side effects include
nausea, appetite changes, weight loss, headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness,
and lack of sexual desire.
- Some medicines for PMS can cause birth
defects if you take them while you are pregnant.
Try other treatment for
PMS symptoms Try other treatment for
PMS symptoms - You make some lifestyle
changes, such as cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, eating healthy foods,
and getting more exercise.
- You take aspirin or ibuprofen for pain.
- You avoid the cost of SSRIs.
- It is safe for you to get pregnant.
- You avoid the
side effects of SSRIs.
- You may still
have symptoms of PMS that get in the way of your work or daily life.
When my PMS
symptoms started to interfere with my job performance, I knew I had to treat
them. The first SSRI I tried just didn't seem to help. But then my doctor
prescribed a different one, and it started to work after about a week. What a
relief! I've had PMS since I was a teenager, so
I've had many years to figure out what works for me. A few of my friends use an
SSRI for their PMS problems, and it seems to work for them. For me, I've found
that eating right and daily exercise keep me from getting keyed up and angry. I
make sure I keep up with that, especially before my period, because if I don't,
I'm a different person. I didn't have PMS until my late 30s and
was really thrown for a loop when I started feeling like I had no energy and
having mood swings before my periods. It got to the point where my husband and
kids didn't want to be around me for a week out of every month. Since I started
taking an SSRI for the latter half of my menstrual cycle, I'm back to my usual
self every month. I thought I'd be able to try an SSRI for my
PMS problems, but after talking to my doctor, I learned that it could make my
epilepsy worse. So I've put more of my energy into improving my diet and
getting plenty of exercise. It really does help. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to try an SSRI Reasons to try other treatment My PMS symptoms are affecting my daily life. My symptoms aren't that bad. More important Equally important More important I've made changes to my diet and lifestyle, and they are not working. I'd like to try making diet and lifestyle changes first. More important Equally important More important I'd like to try an SSRI even though I know there are side effects. I don't want to have to deal with side effects. More important Equally important More important I'm not trying to get pregnant. I want to get pregnant. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking an SSRI Trying other treatment Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewCredits | Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. - Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the FactsYour options- Try an SSRI medicine to reduce PMS symptoms.
- Try lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms.
Key points to remember- You may get relief from your PMS symptoms by eating healthy
foods and by getting enough calcium, vitamin B6, and magnesium. Regular
exercise can also help, as can cutting back on caffeine. If you smoke, quit.
After two or three menstrual cycles, you're likely to feel better.
- For premenstrual and menstrual pain, try ibuprofen, aspirin, or
another
anti-inflammatory medicine. These medicines block
the pain-producing
chemicals that increase in the days before your
period.
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) can help with
severe PMS symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, and muscle
pain. Most women get relief from PMS symptoms within a few days after they
start using the medicine, but it may take longer.
- You can choose
to take an SSRI every day or only on the days before your period. If your symptoms completely go away during your period,
taking an SSRI only on premenstrual days is likely to work for you. But if you
have symptoms such as depression or anxiety all the time, taking an SSRI every
day may be a better choice.
- If you are trying to get pregnant,
talk with your doctor. Taking medicines for PMS in the early weeks of pregnancy
could increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects.
- Your doctor may recommend another treatment
instead of SSRIs if you have had a
manic episode, if you have
bipolar disorder or a seizure problem, or if you take
another medicine that can't be used along with an SSRI.
FAQs What is premenstrual syndrome? Most women have
tender breasts, bloating, and muscle aches a few days before they start their
menstrual periods. These are normal premenstrual
symptoms. But when they get in the way of your work or daily life, they are
called
premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. PMS can affect your
body as well as your mood. Sometimes it can make you change the way you act.
PMS symptoms can be mild or strong. If your symptoms are very
bad, you may have
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). But PMDD is
not as common. What are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?SSRIs are a type of medicine that can restore the balance of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This may help relieve physical and emotional symptoms of PMS. SSRIs are also used to treat
depression,
anxiety, menopause
hot flashes, and
chronic pain. SSRIs are often the
first-choice medicine for treating severe PMS and PMDD symptoms, such
as: - Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Irritability.
- Anger.
- Mood
swings.
- Breast tenderness and bloating.
- Headaches,
joint pain, and muscle pain.
You can choose to take an SSRI every day or only on
premenstrual days. If you have PMS symptoms that
completely go away during your period, taking an SSRI only on premenstrual days
is likely to work for you. But if you have symptoms such as depression or
anxiety all the time, taking an SSRI every day may be a better choice. There are several kinds of
SSRIs for PMS. Each can affect your mood in a
different way. One medicine may not be right for you, but another may work
well. Most women feel better within a few days after they start taking the
medicine, but it can take longer. Your
doctor may recommend treatment other than SSRIs if you have had a
manic episode, if you have
bipolar disorder or a seizure problem, or if you take
another medicine that can't be used along with an SSRI. What are the side effects of SSRIs?Side effects
of SSRIs are common but not serious. But some people stop taking the medicine
because of side effects. Some of these side effects
will go away after you take the medicine for several weeks. Side effects
include: - Nausea, appetite changes, and weight loss.
- Headache.
- Tiredness and trouble sleeping.
- Nervousness.
- Lack of sexual desire, arousal, or
orgasm.
- Dizziness.
- Tremors.
- Dry mouth.
- Rash (rare).
- Weight gain (rare), with long-term
use.
If you are trying to get pregnant, talk with your doctor.
Taking medicines for PMS in the early weeks of pregnancy could increase your
chance of having a baby with birth defects. FDA advisories. The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has issued: - An advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk to your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of suicide.
- A warning about taking triptans, used for headaches, with SSRIs
(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (selective
serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Taking these medicines together
can cause a very rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Why might your doctor recommend trying an SSRI?Your doctor may advise you to try an SSRI if: - Your PMS symptoms are getting in the way of
your work or daily life.
- You have another health problem, such as
depression, anxiety, or chronic pain, that could be helped with SSRI
treatment.
2. Compare your options| | Try an SSRI for
premenstrual symptoms | Try other treatment for
PMS symptoms |
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - You take medicine every day or only
on the days before your period.
| - You make some lifestyle
changes, such as cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, eating healthy foods,
and getting more exercise.
- You take aspirin or ibuprofen for pain.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - Most women feel better within a few
days after they start taking medicine.
| - You avoid the cost of SSRIs.
- It is safe for you to get pregnant.
- You avoid the
side effects of SSRIs.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - Side effects include
nausea, appetite changes, weight loss, headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness,
and lack of sexual desire.
- Some medicines for PMS can cause birth
defects if you take them while you are pregnant.
| - You may still
have symptoms of PMS that get in the way of your work or daily life.
|
|---|
Personal storiesPersonal stories about deciding to take an SSRI for PMS or PMDD
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"When my PMS symptoms started to interfere with my job performance, I knew I had to treat them. The first SSRI I tried just didn't seem to help. But then my doctor prescribed a different one, and it started to work after about a week. What a relief!" "I've had PMS since I was a teenager, so I've had many years to figure out what works for me. A few of my friends use an SSRI for their PMS problems, and it seems to work for them. For me, I've found that eating right and daily exercise keep me from getting keyed up and angry. I make sure I keep up with that, especially before my period, because if I don't, I'm a different person." "I didn't have PMS until my late 30s and was really thrown for a loop when I started feeling like I had no energy and having mood swings before my periods. It got to the point where my husband and kids didn't want to be around me for a week out of every month. Since I started taking an SSRI for the latter half of my menstrual cycle, I'm back to my usual self every month." "I thought I'd be able to try an SSRI for my PMS problems, but after talking to my doctor, I learned that it could make my epilepsy worse. So I've put more of my energy into improving my diet and getting plenty of exercise. It really does help." 3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to try an SSRI Reasons to try other treatment My PMS symptoms are affecting my daily life. My symptoms aren't that bad. More important Equally important More important I've made changes to my diet and lifestyle, and they are not working. I'd like to try making diet and lifestyle changes first. More important Equally important More important I'd like to try an SSRI even though I know there are side effects. I don't want to have to deal with side effects. More important Equally important More important I'm not trying to get pregnant. I want to get pregnant. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking an SSRI Trying other treatment Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
Are SSRI medicines safe to take if you are trying to get pregnant? You're right. If you are trying to get pregnant, talk with your doctor. Taking medicines for PMS in the early weeks of pregnancy could increase your chances of having a baby with birth defects. 2.
Do you need to take SSRI medicine every day to ease PMS symptoms? You're right. You can choose to take an SSRI every day or only on premenstrual days. 3.
Can you relieve symptoms of PMS on your own? You're right. You may find relief from your symptoms by eating healthy foods and getting enough calcium, vitamin B6, and magnesium. Exercise can also help. Cut back on caffeine. Try aspirin or ibuprofen for pain. Decide what's next1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Certainty1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Credits | By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|---|
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Current as of:
October 13, 2016 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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