SSRIs for premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Abstract

Around 2-10% of women have premenstrual symptoms that severely disrupt daily living.1–3 When such symptoms are dominated by severe disturbances of mood and behaviour, the condition has been named premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).4 Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), is licensed in the UK for the treatment of PMDD. Here, we discuss the diagnosis of PMDD and the evidence for the efficacy of fluoxetine and other SSRIs in its treatment.