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Study, 1992

Does weight loss medication with diet help overweight women lose weight and improve gynecological symptoms?

Among women who completed 3 months of treatment with dexfenfluramine and diet, 80% lost weight with an average loss of 7.2 kg. Younger women also reported improvement in premenstrual symptoms.

Moderate study design 336 overweight women (80% in reproductive years, 20% perimenopausal or post-menopausal), followed by gynecologists

What they did

Treated 336 overweight women with dexfenfluramine combined with prescribed diet for 3 months. Women were grouped by age: 80% in reproductive years and 20% perimenopausal or post-menopausal. Researchers measured weight loss and tracked changes in gynecological symptoms.

What they found

80% of women who completed the 3-month treatment lost weight, with a mean loss of 7.2 kg, which represented 41.9% of their initial excess weight. Women in reproductive years reported improvement in premenstrual symptoms. Women in perimenopausal and post-menopausal groups reported improvement in menopause-related symptoms.

What it means for you

A weight loss medication combined with diet can help overweight women lose significant weight and may improve premenstrual symptoms. The main limitations are that the study only lasted 3 months, included only women who completed the full treatment, and had no comparison group not taking the medication, so we cannot be certain the medication itself caused the improvements.

336

Women studied

80%

Who lost weight after completing treatment

7.2 kg

Average weight loss

About the study

Original title
[Efficacy and acceptability of dexfenfluramine in women consulting in gynecology. 336 overweight patients treated for 3 months]
Authors
Elia D, Auclair J, Rey C
Journal
Revue francaise de gynecologie et d'obstetrique
Year
1992
Study design
Study
Participants
336
What was tested
Dexfenfluramine combined with prescribed diet for 3 months

Topics