---
title: Can removing the ovaries cure severe PMS that hasn't responded to other treatments?
description: In this small study of 14 women, yes: shutting down ovarian hormones with medication gave complete relief, and surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus (plus
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/lasting-response-to-ovariectomy-in-severe-intractable-premenstrual-syndrome-1990/
---

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- Can removing the ovaries cure severe PMS that hasn't responded to other treatments?

Non-randomised trial, 1990

# Can removing the ovaries cure severe PMS that hasn't responded to other treatments?

In this small study of 14 women, yes: shutting down ovarian hormones with medication gave complete relief, and surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus (plus low-dose estrogen) gave lasting relief afterward.

 Early or limited evidence

14 women with severe PMS that had not responded to conservative medical treatment.

## What they did

14 women with severe PMS that had not responded to standard medical treatment were given danazol to stop their ovaries cycling hormones. All 14 then chose to have their ovaries and uterus surgically removed, followed by low-dose estrogen therapy.

## What they found

All 14 women had complete relief from symptoms while on danazol. After surgery and estrogen replacement, they had lasting relief from their cyclic PMS symptoms and reported better overall quality of life.

## What it means for you

This suggests that cycling ovarian hormones are a strong driver of severe PMS, and permanently stopping those cycles can help women who have tried everything else without success. But this was a tiny, uncontrolled study of major, irreversible surgery, so it's only relevant to the most severe, treatment-resistant cases.

14

Women studied

14/14

Complete relief with danazol

## About the study

Original title Lasting response to ovariectomy in severe intractable premenstrual syndrome Authors Casson P, Hahn PM, Van Vugt DA et al. Journal American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Year 1990 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 14 What was tested Danazol to suppress ovarian hormones, followed by surgical removal of ovaries and uterus plus low-dose estrogen replacement. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(90)90830-z](https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(90)90830-z)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Randomised trial, 2012

Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Review, 2012

Does stopping ovulation help premenstrual symptoms?

Cohort study, 1990

Does long-term estradiol implant therapy help PMS symptoms?

Case report, 2023

Can stopping ovulation help severe PMDD when other treatments do not work?

Survey study, 2015

Does migraine increase during menopause, and can hormone therapy help?

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