Randomised trial, 2009
Is dydrogesterone or calcium plus vitamin D better for severe PMS?
Both worked similarly, reducing symptoms by about 4.6% and 4.2% respectively, slightly better than the 3.42% reduction from placebo. The difference between the two active treatments was too small to say one is clearly better.
What they did
This was a trial comparing two treatments and placebo. 180 university students with severe PMS in Shiraz were randomly assigned to three groups: dydrogesterone, calcium plus vitamin D, or placebo. They took their pill twice daily from day 15 to day 24 of their cycle. All tracked symptoms daily for 2 cycles before treatment, then for 2 more cycles during treatment.
What they found
Dydrogesterone reduced symptom severity by 4.64%, calcium plus vitamin D reduced it by 4.20%, and placebo reduced it by 3.42%. Both active treatments were similarly effective and only slightly better than placebo.
What it means for you
Both dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D worked about equally well for severe PMS, with modest improvements. The main limitation is that the improvements were small (about 4-5%), and both were only slightly better than placebo. This was a good quality study in one Iranian university.
180
women enrolled
4.64%
symptom reduction with dydrogesterone
4.20%
symptom reduction with calcium plus vitamin D
About the study
- Original title
- Effect of treatment with dydrogesterone or calcium plus vitamin D on the severity of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Khajehei M, Abdali K, Parsanezhad ME et al.
- Journal
- International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 180
- What was tested
- 5 mg dydrogesterone twice daily, or 500 mg calcium plus 200 mg vitamin D twice daily, or placebo, from day 15 to day 24 of the cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.01.016
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2026
Does calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduce PMS symptoms?
Survey study, 2019
Do women with PMS have different nutrient levels than healthy women?
Survey study, 2019
Do girls with PMS have lower vitamin D and calcium levels?
Randomised trial, 2016
Does vitamin D improve mood symptoms in girls with severe vitamin D deficiency and PMS?
Case-control study, 2015
Are vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium linked to PMS?
Cohort study, 2010
How do anxiety disorders differ across different life stages?