Randomised trial, 1987
Does spironolactone help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
Spironolactone was significantly better than placebo for bloatedness only. No significant improvement was seen for other symptoms, weight, blood pressure or other complaints.
What they did
Sixty-three women with premenstrual syndrome were randomly assigned to take either 100 mg spironolactone or placebo daily from day 12 of the menstrual cycle until the first day of the next menstruation, repeated for 2 consecutive cycles, in a double-blind study.
What they found
Spironolactone was statistically significantly superior to placebo for relieving bloatedness (p less than 0.001). No statistically significant changes were observed in weight, blood pressure, or the incidence and severity of other complaints. No significant changes were seen in blood hormone levels of oestradiol, progesterone or prolactin, though serum aldosterone levels increased in the spironolactone-treated group.
What it means for you
Spironolactone may help with bloatedness specifically, but there is no evidence it helps other PMS symptoms or physical measures like weight and blood pressure.
63
Women studied
100 mg
Spironolactone dose
2
Treatment cycles
About the study
- Original title
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of spironolactone in the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Vellacott ID, Shroff NE, Pearce MY et al.
- Journal
- Current medical research and opinion
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 63
- What was tested
- 100 mg spironolactone or placebo daily from day 12 of cycle to first day of next menstruation, 2 cycles
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1185/03007998709112403
Topics
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