---
title: Is bromocriptine effective for premenstrual syndrome? | Niyora
description: No substantial evidence that bromocriptine works for premenstrual syndrome overall. It may help breast pain if the dose is at least 5 mg daily.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/bromocriptine-and-premenstrual-symptoms-a-survey-of-double-blind-trials-1983/
---

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- Is bromocriptine effective for premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 1983

# Is bromocriptine effective for premenstrual syndrome?

No substantial evidence that bromocriptine works for premenstrual syndrome overall. It may help breast pain if the dose is at least 5 mg daily.

 Strong study design

Across 14 different studies of women with premenstrual syndrome

## What they did

A survey of 14 placebo-controlled studies that tested bromocriptine for premenstrual symptoms.

## What they found

No substantial support for bromocriptine as an effective treatment for premenstrual syndrome. Irritability, depression, and anxiety were not significantly improved with bromocriptine compared to placebo. Bromocriptine appeared effective for premenstrual breast pain (mastodynia) if the daily dose was at least 5 mg.

## What it means for you

Bromocriptine doesn't seem to help most premenstrual symptoms, though it might relieve breast pain at higher doses. This review of 14 studies provides evidence across multiple trials, though the studies reviewed are relatively old.

14

Placebo-controlled studies reviewed

5 mg

Minimum daily dose for breast pain relief

## About the study

Original title Bromocriptine and premenstrual symptoms: a survey of double blind trials Authors Andersch B Journal Obstetrical & gynecological survey Year 1983 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Bromocriptine versus placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00006254-198311000-00001](https://doi.org/10.1097/00006254-198311000-00001)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)

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.

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