Randomised trial, 1993
Does clomipramine taken only during the luteal phase help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
Yes, clomipramine during the luteal phase significantly reduced irritability and depression compared to placebo. The effect was notably larger than placebo, though the study was small.
What they did
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial where 29 nondepressed women with severe premenstrual irritability and depression took either 25 to 75 mg of clomipramine or placebo daily from ovulation until menstruation began, for three consecutive cycles. Women rated their symptoms daily. Nine women dropped out during the study.
What they found
Placebo reduced symptoms by about 45%, while clomipramine reduced symptoms by more than 70%. The clomipramine group had significantly lower irritability and depression ratings than placebo throughout the three cycles. Global improvement was also significantly better with clomipramine.
What it means for you
Clomipramine works better than placebo for premenstrual irritability and depression when taken only during the luteal phase. However, the study was small (15 women per group) and some women dropped out, so results need confirmation in larger studies.
15
women in clomipramine group
>70%
symptom reduction with clomipramine
45%
symptom reduction with placebo
About the study
- Original title
- Clomipramine administered during the luteal phase reduces the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: a placebo-controlled trial
- Authors
- Sundblad C, Hedberg MA, Eriksson E
- Journal
- Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 15
- What was tested
- Clomipramine 25 to 75 mg daily during the luteal phase
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1038/npp.1993.52
Topics
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