Non-randomised trial, 2011
Can a procedure for heavy periods also improve PMS symptoms?
In this small study, women who had an endometrial ablation (NovaSure) for heavy periods saw their PMS symptoms improve a lot too, but there was no comparison group so we cannot be fully sure the procedure itself caused it.
What they did
36 women with heavy periods and PMS symptoms, average age 41, had NovaSure endometrial ablation. Everyone filled in PMS surveys before the procedure and again 4 to 6 months after. There was no separate untreated group to compare against.
What they found
Self-rated PMS severity (0 to 10 scale) dropped from 7.4 before to 3.2 after (statistically significant). 35 of 36 women (97%) said their PMS got better. Both validated PMS measures used also showed significant improvement.
What it means for you
For women with heavy periods and PMS who have not responded to hormonal treatment, this procedure might help both problems, but the study was small, had no control group, and only followed women for a few months, so the results could be influenced by other factors.
7.4 to 3.2
PMS severity score before vs after (0-10)
35/36 (97%)
Women reporting improvement
36
Sample size
About the study
- Original title
- Improved premenstrual syndrome symptoms after NovaSure endometrial ablation
- Authors
- Lukes AS, McBride RJ, Herring AH et al.
- Journal
- Journal of minimally invasive gynecology
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- NovaSure endometrial ablation
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2011.06.001