Randomised trial, 2001
Does homeopathy help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?
Yes, according to this small pilot study, homeopathy helped more women than placebo, though both groups improved and the difference was modest.
What they did
Randomized controlled double-blind trial of 20 women aged 20-48 with PMS at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem (1992-1994). Women recorded symptoms for 2 months, then received either one dose of individualized homeopathic treatment or placebo based on their symptom patterns. Follow-up lasted 3 months. Symptoms were measured with the menstrual distress questionnaire.
What they found
Mean symptom scores fell from 0.44 to 0.13 in the homeopathy group. An improvement of 30% or more was seen in 90% of women receiving homeopathy and 37.5% receiving placebo (P=0.048). Homeopathy was found to be effective for PMS compared to placebo.
What it means for you
Homeopathy may help PMS more than placebo, but this was a very small pilot study with only 20 women. Both groups improved, so more research is needed to understand the results.
20
women studied
90%
improved 30%+ with homeopathy
37.5%
improved 30%+ with placebo
About the study
- Original title
- Effects of homeopathic treatment in women with premenstrual syndrome: a pilot study
- Authors
- Yakir M, Kreitler S, Brzezinski A et al.
- Journal
- The British homoeopathic journal
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- Individualized homeopathic treatment (one oral dose) versus placebo
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1054/homp.1999.0491