Citalopram for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder User Reviews

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2018

"I never realized I was ill. I thought my moods were just part of what my parents called my character. I have always had severe ups and downs, an inability to make decisions, and my PMS cost me two weeks every month. During that time, I started fights, cried as if the world was ending, and felt utterly useless. During the worst days of my PMS, I thought about ways to kill myself. I have struggled with depression and anxiety my entire adult life. I blamed my ‘weak character’ for this. I have been on Citalopram 20mg for almost two months, and I feel like a normal human again. I never thought life could feel this good. This drug saved my life. I have no side effects."

• Taz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2013

"I was originally prescribed Citalopram 20mg a day for anxiety. However, I have suffered from premenstrual symptoms for years, it was controlling my life! For weeks, I had side effects, but I persevered. I have NEVER felt so good since. I have zero side effects and absolutely NO signs of PMT! My husband thinks he's married 'me' again! So happy."

• Lon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2017

"I have been suffering from PMDD for years. During the week before my period, during my period, and the 2 days prior to ovulation. It's taken years to get this bad, though. I have never gotten very far with doctors. I was offered hormonal contraception repeatedly and always refused, as I was frightened that it would be enough to tip me over the edge. I got to a point where I just couldn't cope with it anymore, and so I spoke to a different doctor, a female doctor who knew me well. I started the usual speech, I even had everything written down, and she stopped me halfway. She knew exactly what to do. So, I am now on half-cycle 10mg citalopram. I take it when I need to (2 weeks a month). For the first time in years, I feel normal."

• Kia...
• February 1, 2020

"I am taking only 5 mg of citalopram, and my life has already changed. I was angry, irritated, and shouting at my kids every two weeks before my periods. It got worse a couple of days before my period, and I would feel suicidal, malevolent, and anxious. After taking this medication for 6 weeks, my life is back on track. I have a better relationship with my partner and teenage children. I am calmer, and I have more energy. I do get the odd suicidal thoughts, but I just brush them away. Overall, I am grateful."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2008

Citalopram "After 3 months of severe anxiety and depression, which got worse before my periods, I wound up having a panic attack and went to the ER. I thought my life was ending, my world was upside-down. I had no drive to do anything and worried all of the time. My doctor figured out that I had PMDD and prescribed me Celexa along with YAZ. I haven't felt this good ever. The first month on Celexa I was very tired, but other than that, I have felt great."

• ove...
• July 17, 2009

"I have used citalopram 20mg for about 3 years now for hormone imbalance issues. It has been very effective for me, and the only real side effect that I have noticed is dry mouth. I have noticed many people complaining about decreased sexual desire or trouble having an orgasm, but I have not had those problems."

• tat...
• December 14, 2009

Citalopram "This medicine is great. It has changed the way I feel on a daily basis. Every month about 1 week before my period, all my muscles would hurt as if I was lifting heavy weights. I do work out but not hard enough to be that sore all week. I talked to my doctor and found out that I had PMDD. I was always in a bad mood and little things at home would just set me off, but thanks to the combination of both, I feel a lot better about myself and am always in a great mood. When I first started the Celexa, I was always tired but now I have more energy. I have not had any issues with any of the medicine."

• LGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2019

"Citalopram is a total lifesaver for my premenstrual dysphoric disorder! My family loves it as much as I do! They see a more calm, nicer me! And so do I! Helps my anxiety and agitation and increased hunger! The first week will be the roughest! Just stick with it! The side effects will pass!"

• Kkm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2016

"I've always been a moody person, but since having my 2nd child, it had become a whole new animal. PMDD had left me feeling very lonely, helpless, and worthless. I was tired of hearing myself apologize again for my awful behavior during those last 2 weeks of my cycle, only to find myself back there 2 weeks later. My kids were suffering, my relationship was too, and at my lowest during my cycle, I was starting to plan my suicide. I went to my doctor, sure he would just brush me off, thinking it was just, you know, slamming cupboards and sore boobs (if only!). I went during my down weeks so he could see the state I was in, I was so desperate for relief. Started Celexa that day, and it's changed my life. If you have PMDD, you must try this."

• Che...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2015

"I am now on month 8 of taking 10 mg of Celexa. I am now feeling the full benefits of it. My anxiety, moodiness, anger, irritability, depression, rage, and even my cravings have subsided. Celexa has worked wonders for me. Sometimes, I'm in a dark place, but not as much as I used to. I also no longer hurt myself or have thoughts of hurting myself. Finally, I feel like I want to 'live' again. I am not going on any other medication but Celexa."

• kim...
• June 11, 2015

"This pill saved my life (citalopram). My life was on 'hold' before. The cumulative torture of my monthly cycle had resulted in a nervous breakdown, and I was thinking about suicide. I am fascinated to find out what it is like NOT to suffer (as this was normal for me). The only negative is no sex drive. If you suffer from PMDD, try it!"

• Sor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

"I was prescribed this for severe PMS 4 weeks ago, and I can definitely feel the difference. I take 10 mg in the morning and have had no side effects whatsoever. I realized since taking this that my intrusive thoughts had been part of OCD, and it had never occurred to me! I just thought that was a part of me! I have the occasional disturbing thought, but I am able to brush it off easily. I am generally calmer and more in control of my emotions."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2015

"I just found out I have PMDD, and for a long time, I have been suffering with depression along with anxiety. It has really been taking control of my life until, in March, my doctor prescribed me 10 mg of Celexa. Besides the drowsiness for about 4-6 weeks, I have NEVER felt this good in a long time! I am no longer fatigued!"

• Mrs...
• January 9, 2017

"I have been on those pills for years now after suffering from PMDD. This is the very best. I have a history of depression, but at the time it was prescribed to me, I was charming 27 days out of the month. Two days prior to my period, I turned into a witch, a depressed one. It affected my relationship with my kids, my loving partner. I'm saying that now because a week ago, I ran out of them, having missed my physical. Those mood swings came back like a freight train, and I literally had to beg my doctor to give me enough before my next visit. I'll be more careful next time, but I can't help wondering if the symptoms are worsened if you get off it... or maybe I just forgot how bad it was!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2020

"Oh wow! I am grateful you all shared your experiences on citalopram! I thought I was crazy. My PMT has gotten really worse over the last few years, and really every two weeks of the month, I turned into a crazy creature, and it affected all my close relationships. I tried vitamin B, but it helped only a little. So now trying citalopram for the first time, 10 mg for half my cycle. I don’t really like the idea of taking regular medication for anything, but I had run out of solutions, so I’m hoping this works."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 9, 2016

"Started taking Celexa when I experienced depression and anxiety. It works well and also helps my PMDD. I tried other antidepressants but would recommend Celexa because it really helps me function. I give this med a 9 because sometimes I need to take two 10 mg tablets to give me a little extra boost. Overall though, this med is excellent."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2020

"I just started Celexa 20 mg for PMDD after being on Zoloft for two years. I must say Celexa is winning. I started my period, and it’s been the most peaceful week in a long time. I am experiencing dry mouth and insomnia, but anything is better than feeling like a crazy lady."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2020

"I am 31 years old, and since I was about 27 years old, my PMDD symptoms became unbearable. For two weeks out of EVERY month, I would turn into a severely fatigued, rage-filled, irrational monster with sky-high anxiety, EXTREME tearfulness, and panic attacks. For these two weeks, my whole body aches, throbs, and swells, especially my joints and muscles. My arms, back, legs, ankles, wrists, and feet all hurt so much, and I even get muscle spasms in my back. I also was having postpartum depression severely. Within 4 days, citalopram completely stopped my panic attacks, intrusive/OCD thoughts, and my depression is slowly but surely being cured as well! I am in what is usually to be my worst week of my cycle, and mentally, I feel great. It has not done anything for my physical pain. Dry mouth and nausea subsided after a few days, however, the drowsiness and difficulty orgasming have not. GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK!"

• Tak...
• July 25, 2019

"I had tried about half a dozen other medications and given up for a couple of years. My doc had offered citalopram the year before, but I had been 'burned' by other meds and didn't believe it would help, so I didn't take it. My PMDD worsened this year (35 y/o), and it was going to end up costing me my job at the rate I was going. Could NOT control my mood at all. I was legit calling in once a month (2-3 days prior to my period) because my mood was so unstable. I agreed to try the citalopram with some as-needed Vistaril for the bad anxiety. Within the first few days, I was feeling better. In two weeks, it was visible to everyone around me. The side effects were mild: sweating, breast tenderness, dry mouth, a 'strange' feeling for a few days, and yawning. The only side effect that still gets to me is the sexual dysfunction. I've had exactly one orgasm in the two months I've been on it, and it was not really worth the effort, but I'll take weak orgasms over being dead any day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2021

"Only been taking 10 mg for the last 2 weeks of my cycle, and this is my first cycle since started. Absolutely made up with it. I've gone from being a paranoid, angry, irritable, emotional person who felt the world was against her those last 2 weeks of my cycle to feeling so happy and normal how I am before those two weeks. I usually feel the change happening and find it so uncontrollable, I must be so sensitive to the hormone changes, but now nothing, and I am so grateful for how it's worked for me. My partner was at the end of his tether with me as he usually got the brunt of it and said I have been absolutely fine with them. My kids I'm sure can tell too. I didn't really have any side effects, other than dry mouth, but that only lasted a few days."

• Bec...
• September 2, 2018

"From the time I turned 35, I was irritable, low energy, bloated, and had awful insomnia for two weeks of my cycle. I was diagnosed with PMDD and prescribed citalopram. I started on 20 mg and became depressed, withdrawn, in a fog, and nauseous, and I stopped after 3 days. My doctor then prescribed 10 mg, and although I was still depressed, it was better on the low dose. I had bad insomnia, but after a week, that went away, and I started taking it at night, which cured all side effects. When my 'bad weeks' started, I had insomnia like usual and bloating, although I was not as low energy. I switched to 20 mg, and insomnia started again, but not nearly as bad effects. Today, three days after I started taking 20 mg, I feel good, no bloating, and it should be the worst week of my cycle. I hope the insomnia will go away soon too. I am planning to stay on 10 mg throughout the month and take 20 mg just for the bad weeks."

• KT6...
• September 30, 2017

"I had forgotten that I had PMDD! I was prescribed citalopram for considerable anxiety and mild depression while I was going through a nasty divorce. I have been on citalopram for a few years now, since about January 2014. I forgot to pick up my repeat prescription, and I thought as the divorce was now finished (June 2015) and all good with my life (even accepting the normal trials and tribulations of a difficult hormonal teenager!), I would be fine and should just get on with it and not worry about taking it anymore. Wow, was I wrong, period overdue and PMDD back as it was at its worst. Needless to say, I will be back at the docs to discuss and continue, as there is no way I will come off this until I am post-menopausal (soon, but until then, citalopram)."

• Con...
• December 11, 2015

"I was prescribed this drug a few years ago for mild depression. The first time I had no real side effects except nausea for a few days. I was on it for 6 months. About a month ago, I went to the Dr. for my PMS symptoms, and he decided to try it again. This time I had no appetite for 2 weeks. I felt sick every time I ate. Very tired and not wanting to do anything. I also still have diarrhea every morning. I'm becoming dehydrated. Other than that, I feel great, except now I have zero sex drive. My husband is suffering because of this. Even if I try and get into it, I can't orgasm. It's hard to decide if the good outweighs the bad. I'm probably going to switch meds."

• wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2023

"This medication changed my life and improved my relationship. My premenstrual syndrome was so severe that it felt like the end of the world every month. I began taking citalopram 5 months ago and take it for 7-9 days prior to my period. It has worked wonders and eliminated all my PMS symptoms, including cramps and bloating. I barely even feel my periods anymore, which has never happened before. I do experience a little drowsiness the first one or two days of taking it, but it's a small price to pay for the relief it provides. I highly recommend this medication, but I advise against drinking alcohol while taking it."

• The...
• April 14, 2021

"I developed postpartum anxiety after my second child and tried Zoloft when he was 8 months old. That did nothing, so I stopped. Then I started noticing PMDD symptoms. I was anxious, depressed, so filled with rage and anger that I would completely lose it at anyone over hardly a thing. Then my period would come, and I would be back to my normal self. Each month it started getting worse, and I couldn't put myself or my family through it again as I was really worried how bad my symptoms would get the next month and thought I might hurt myself or someone else. I started researching and classic PMDD I then thought and realized I've had it since I was a teenager. Saw my GP, started on citalopram 20 mg every day. Instant change! I have had zero symptoms of PMDD. It also stopped my postpartum/breastfeeding hot flashes that I had been having for 2 years! My side effects I think are only reduced libido, but also still breastfeeding, so I think a combination of factors. Amazing drug!!"