Washington (H24N). Downing aspirin with cups of tea may work for some women, but for others, the monthly symptoms that accompany severe premenstrual syndrome are harder to treat.

An analysis of 15 studies, published in the September 30 issue of The Lancet, shows that certain antidepressants are effective weapons against the intense mood swings, bloating, cramping and breast pain associated with menstruation.

Antidepressants that fall into the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) category were found to be the most successful at treating PMS. These include Prozac and Zoloft.

Paul Dimmock and his colleagues at Keele University in Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom, based their primary analysis on 904 women, of which 570 took the antidepressants and 435 took placebos. What they found was that the women were seven times more likely to get relief from the Prozac and Zoloft than from a placebo.

"Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are an effective first-line therapy for severe premenstrual syndrome," wrote the study’s authors. "The SSRIs were effective in treating both physical and behavioral symptoms

The women in the study did experience some side effects associated with the SSRIs such as insomnia, fatigue and upset stomach, but women who took the antidepressants were only two to five times more likely to withdraw from the study than those taking the placebo.

"The safety of these drugs has been demonstrated in trials of affective disorder, and the side effects at low doses are generally acceptable," wrote Dimmock and his colleagues.

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