A woman reports bloating, anxiety, irritability, and feeling depressed before each of her monthly menstrual cycles. What medication classification does the healthcare professional educate this woman on?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This woman is describing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (an antidepressant) relieve symptoms in approximately 60% to 90% of women and may be continually administered or only prescribed during the premenstrual period. Oral contraceptive pills that contain a combination of estrogen and progesterone also can be continuously used for up to 3 months to decrease the frequency of menstrual periods, PMS, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pure estrogen or progesterone preparations would not be administered continually.

A Woman Reports Bloating, Anxiety, Irritability, and Feeling Depressed Before