Randomised trial, 2006
Does a five-day gradual reduction of chlormadinone help PMDD symptoms?
Yes, significantly reducing anxiety and depression and some other symptoms by the third month of treatment. This is a small pilot study, so larger trials are needed to confirm.
What they did
Pilot, controlled, double-blind study. Women took chlormadinone acetate starting at 10 mg on day 24 of their menstrual cycle, reducing by one tablet each day until reaching 2 mg on day 28. A control group received placebo with the same regimen. Effects were measured by month three.
What they found
Daily symptom scores improved significantly by month three (p<0.02). The chances of improvement were 4.09 times higher with chlormadinone than placebo (p<0.005). Chlormadinone reduced depression, anxiety, food cravings, mood swings, and cramps. Some symptoms like irritability and poor coordination improved statistically but with small real-world benefit. Concentration, tiredness, insomnia, swelling, breast tenderness, and aches did not improve. Side effects: 30% experienced cycle changes, 15% experienced indigestion.
What it means for you
A short course of gradual chlormadinone reduction may help some PMDD symptoms, especially mood-related ones. This is a pilot study and did not report how many women participated, so results need confirmation in a larger trial.
4.09
Relative risk of improvement
30%
Experienced cycle changes
15%
Experienced indigestion
About the study
- Original title
- A five-day gradual reduction regimen of chlormadinone reduces premenstrual anxiety and depression: a pilot study
- Authors
- Contreras CM, Azamar-Arizmendi G, Saavedra M et al.
- Journal
- Archives of medical research
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Five-day gradual reduction of chlormadinone acetate (10 mg to 2 mg per day)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2006.05.001
Topics
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