---
title: What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?
description: Hormonal treatments have been tested 56 times for premenstrual mood disorder, 21 times for menstrual migraine, and 8 times for catamenial epilepsy. Combined o
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-scoping-review-of-hormonal-clinical-trials-in-menstrual-cycle-related-brain-2023/
---

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- What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?

Systematic review, 2023

# What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?

Hormonal treatments have been tested 56 times for premenstrual mood disorder, 21 times for menstrual migraine, and 8 times for catamenial epilepsy. Combined oral contraceptives were a frequent focus.

 Strong study design

Reproductive-aged females with natural menstrual cycles and premenstrual mood disorder, menstrual migraine, or catamenial epilepsy

## What they did

Scoping review of 85 human studies published between 1950 and 2021. Included studies of reproductive-aged females with natural menstrual cycles who received hormonal treatments and were measured across at least two menstrual cycle phases.

## What they found

Exogenous hormone manipulations were tested for premenstrual mood disorder (56 trials), menstrual migraine (21 trials), and catamenial epilepsy (8 trials). Combined oral contraceptives containing drospirenone were specifically noted.

## What it means for you

These three menstrual cycle-related brain disorders have overlapping hormonal mechanisms and could benefit from shared research approaches, but researchers in each field have historically worked independently. The main limitation is that the provided abstract is incomplete.

85

Studies reviewed

56

Trials for premenstrual mood disorder

21

Trials for menstrual migraine

## About the study

Original title A scoping review of hormonal clinical trials in menstrual cycle-related brain disorders: Studies in premenstrual mood disorder, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy Authors Barone JC, Butler MP, Ross A et al. Journal Frontiers in neuroendocrinology Year 2023 Study design Systematic review What was tested Exogenous hormone manipulation (various types, including combined oral contraceptives) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101098](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101098)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Reproductive hormone sensitivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-hormone-sensitivity/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)[Epilepsy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-epilepsy/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Review, 2012

Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?

Survey study, 2023

Could treatments that affect the brain's GABA system help PMDD?

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Study, 2022

Why do women get PMS and PMDD?

Non-randomised trial, 2014

Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?

Survey study, 2011

Why do some women experience negative mood with hormone changes?

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