Study details
For the latest study purposes, Dr. Ellen W. Freeman and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, took into account 174 patients who were given sertraline treatment for a period of four to 12 months.
The relapse rates and other similar results were analyzed by the researchers. It was discovered that 60 percent of the women who underwent treatment for four months suffered a relapse in contrast to 41 percent women who were cured for 12 months.
Further, the average time to relapse was four months in women who underwent a short-term therapy. On the other hand, this time period extended to eight months in case of women who went in for a long-term therapy.
The study established that the time period for which sertraline treatment was administered had an effect only on women who suffered from grave symptoms of PMS.
The report by Freeman stated that women who showed an overall diminution in the symptoms “were much less likely to experience relapse regardless of treatment duration or the severity of symptoms at baseline”.
The report concluded, “This is a compelling indication of the importance of seeking remission as the goal of treatment of PMS.”
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
PMS is a condition wherein women feel irritation, fatigue or spasms in the stomach coupled with mood swings or some other kind of physical uneasiness before the start of their monthly period. Most of the times, these symptoms are not really severe and do not get in the way of a woman’s relationships and daily routine.
About Sertraline
Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which is basically used for the treatment of depression
, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It works by lifting up the patient’s mood and decreasing negative thoughts. Sertraline can also help alleviate the symptoms of PMS. However, it is still not clear as to how extensive the treatment should be so that it shows positive results, stated Dr. Freeman.
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