Case report, 1980
Does progesterone stop criminal behavior in women with severe premenstrual syndrome?
Yes. Three women with long histories of repeated serious crimes (manslaughter, arson, assault) that happened in a premenstrual pattern had normal behavior after progesterone treatment.
What they did
Case report of 3 women arrested for serious crimes. Police and prison records confirmed their crimes happened in a premenstrual pattern. All three had long histories of repeated crime while in prison as well. They were treated with progesterone.
What they found
All three women successfully used premenstrual syndrome as a legal defense. When treated with progesterone, their behavior returned to normal.
What it means for you
Progesterone may help stop violent behavior tied to severe premenstrual syndrome. However this is based on three women, and the study documents behavior change but lacks detailed measurements of how the treatment worked.
3
women treated
About the study
- Original title
- Cyclical criminal acts in premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Dalton K
- Journal
- Lancet (London, England)
- Year
- 1980
- Study design
- Case report
- Participants
- 3
- What was tested
- Progesterone treatment
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(80)92286-2
Topics
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