Relation between Fluoxetine and Menstrual Cycle Disorders

To investigate the effect of fluoxetine as an SSRI on menstrual disorders. In this cross-sectional study 200 women referring to the Islamic Azad University affiliated hospitals during March 2011- March 2010 were divided into 4 groups. All included patients in this study had the chief complaint of mood disorders in peri- menstrual period. All patients received daily vitamin B6 tablets as primitive treatment. In groups A, B and C patients also received daily doses of 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg of fluoxetine respectively for 6 months and in group D as the control group fluoxetine was not given. Data were analyzed by spss18 statistical software. Significant difference was set at p<0.05. In the groups receiving fluoxetine (groups A - C) 34 patients and in control group 5 patients showed irregular menstruation started during fluoxetine administration and following 3 months. Significant difference with p<0.05 was found regarding the incidence of menstrual irregularity between groups with and without fluoxetine prescription. Fluoxetine consumption leads to increased incidence of menstrual irregularity compared to the control group. The incidence increases with increasing dosage of the drug.