---
title: Does progesterone help premenstrual syndrome symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes. Progesterone pessaries reduced PMS symptoms more than placebo across four cycles. However, it caused more side effects like headaches, vaginal irritation
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/investigation-of-the-efficacy-of-progesterone-pessaries-in-the-relief-of-1995/
---

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- Does progesterone help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Randomised trial, 1995

# Does progesterone help premenstrual syndrome symptoms?

Yes. Progesterone pessaries reduced PMS symptoms more than placebo across four cycles. However, it caused more side effects like headaches, vaginal irritation and irregular periods than placebo.

 Strong study design

281 women screened; 93 with PMS completed evaluation

## What they did

Forty-five general practitioners ran a double-blind study where women used progesterone pessaries (400 mg twice daily inserted vaginally or rectally) or placebo from 14 days before their period until bleeding started, for four cycles. 93 women with PMS completed evaluation.

## What they found

Progesterone groups showed greater symptom reduction than placebo during each cycle with statistically significant differences. Adverse events: 51% of the progesterone group reported side effects compared to 43% in the placebo group. Vaginal irritation, headache and irregular periods were more common with progesterone.

## What it means for you

Progesterone pessaries appear to reduce PMS when women are carefully selected, but side effects are common. The findings are limited because many women dropped out before completing the study.

93

women evaluated

51%

side effects in progesterone group

400 mg

twice-daily dose

## About the study

Original title Investigation of the efficacy of progesterone pessaries in the relief of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. progesterone Study Group Authors Magill PJ Journal The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners Year 1995 Study design Randomised trial Participants 281 What was tested Progesterone pessaries 400 mg twice daily vs placebo for four cycles Open access Yes Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8554838/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8554838/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)

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