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.
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/
Topics
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