Which two SSRIs are commonly used to treat PMDD?

• A. Sertraline and Fluoxetine
• B. Fluoxetine and Paroxetine
• C. Paroxetine and Citalopram
• D. Sertraline and Paroxetine

Answer: (A)

PMDD responds well to SSRIs because increasing serotonin in the brain helps stabilize mood, reduce irritability, anxiety, and physical symptoms, and often provides relief quickly. Sertraline and fluoxetine are two SSRIs with the strongest, most practical evidence base for PMDD, making them a go-to pairing in many guidelines. They offer flexible dosing options, including daily use or luteal-phase dosing, which can tailor treatment to symptom timing while maintaining good tolerability. While other SSRIs like paroxetine can also be effective, sertraline and fluoxetine are most commonly emphasized for PMDD because of their robust trial data and practical use in both continuous and targeted dosing.