Applied Evidence

Evidence-based tools for premenstrual disorders

Author and Disclosure Information

 

References

Although the definitions for PMS and PMDD require at least 2 cycles of prospective documentation of symptoms, diet and lifestyle changes can begin immediately.

The doses of SSRIs used in most PMS/PMDD trials were lower than those typically used for the treatment of depression and anxiety. The withdrawal effect that can be seen with abrupt cessation of SSRIs has not been reported in the intermittent-dosing studies for PMS/PMDD.38 While this might imply a more tolerable safety profile, the most common adverse effects reported in trials were still as expected: sleep disturbances, headache, nausea, and sexual dysfunction. It is important to note that SSRIs should be used with caution during pregnancy, and paroxetine should be avoided in women considering pregnancy in the near future.

Other antidepressant classes have been studied to a lesser extent than SSRIs. Continuously dosed venlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, demonstrated efficacy in PMS/PMDD treatment when compared with placebo within the first cycle of therapy.39 The response seen was comparable to that associated with SSRI treatments in other trials.

Buspirone, an anxiolytic with serotonin receptor activity that is different from that of the SSRIs, demonstrated efficacy in reducing the symptom of irritability.48 Buspirone may have a role to play in those presenting with irritability as a primary symptom or in those who are unable to tolerate the adverse effects of SSRIs. Tricyclic antidepressants, bupropion, and alprazolam have either limited data regarding efficacy or are associated with adverse effects that limit their use.38

Hormonal treatments may be worth considering

One commonly prescribed hormonal therapy for PMS and PMDD is continuous OCs. A 2012 Cochrane review of OCs containing drospirenone evaluated 5 trials and a total of 1920 women.40 Two placebo-controlled trials of women with severe premenstrual symptoms (PMDD) showed improvement after 3 months of taking daily drospirenone 3 mg with ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg, compared with placebo.

While experiencing greater benefit, these groups also experienced significantly more adverse effects including nausea, intermenstrual bleeding, and breast pain. The respective odds ratios for the 3 adverse effects were 3.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90-5.22), 4.92 (95% CI, 3.03-7.96), and 2.67 (95% CI, 1.50-4.78). The review concluded that drospirenone 3 mg with ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg may help in the treatment of severe premenstrual symptoms (PMDD) but that it is unknown whether this treatment is appropriate for patients with less severe premenstrual symptoms.

Continue to: Another multicenter RCT

Pages

Recommended Reading

AED exposure from breastfeeding appears to be low
MDedge Family Medicine
Research on statin for preeclampsia prevention advances
MDedge Family Medicine
Ideal management of RA in pregnancy improves outcomes
MDedge Family Medicine
Experts in Europe issue guidance on atopic dermatitis in pregnancy
MDedge Family Medicine
Cognitive problems after extremely preterm birth persist
MDedge Family Medicine
Provide appropriate sexual, reproductive health care for transgender patients
MDedge Family Medicine
Unnecessary pelvic exams, Pap tests common in young women
MDedge Family Medicine
Suicide rate higher than average for female clinicians
MDedge Family Medicine
Cannabis use in pregnancy and lactation: A changing landscape
MDedge Family Medicine
Depression after miscarriage: Follow-up care is key
MDedge Family Medicine