Randomised trial, 1996
Does oral progesterone work better than vaginal progesterone for PMS?
No. Both oral and vaginal progesterone were no better than placebo for PMS symptoms, even though oral progesterone created higher levels of potentially calming metabolites.
What they did
In a double-blind crossover trial, 25 women with PMS received 300 mg of oral progesterone daily, 200 mg of vaginal progesterone daily, or placebo for 10 days before their period. Researchers measured multiple symptoms using validated questionnaires and checked blood hormone levels.
What they found
Although there was a significant overall treatment effect, oral progesterone was not better than placebo, and vaginal progesterone was not better than placebo. Oral progesterone did create much higher levels of metabolites (5 alpha and 5 beta pregnanolone) than vaginal progesterone. There was a negative correlation between 5 alpha pregnanolone levels and anxiety symptoms, but overall premenstrual distress and anxiety were not reduced more by either form of progesterone than by placebo.
What it means for you
Even though progesterone produces metabolites that are thought to be calming, taking it as a supplement does not reduce PMS symptoms beyond placebo. This was a small study that was stopped early when it became clear that progesterone was not working. The results suggest progesterone may not be a useful treatment for PMS.
25
Number of women
10 days
Duration of treatment
300/200 mg
Progesterone doses oral/vaginal
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of progesterone and its 5 alpha and 5 beta metabolites on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome according to route of administration
- Authors
- Vanselow W, Dennerstein L, Greenwood KM et al.
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1996
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 25
- What was tested
- 300 mg daily oral progesterone, 200 mg daily vaginal progesterone, or placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674829609025661
Topics
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