Non-randomised trial, 1990
Does suppressing ovulation help patients with porphyria attacks related to the menstrual cycle?
There was weak evidence of benefit - attacks fell from 7 to 3 median, but this difference was not quite statistically significant. Patients with the strongest menstrual cycle-attack link benefited most.
What they did
7 patients with acute intermittent porphyria experiencing menstrual-related crises were monitored for approximately one year before and during treatment with buserelin, a hormone injection that suppresses ovulation. Researchers tracked the number and timing of attacks, hormone levels, and porphyrin excretion.
What they found
The median number of attacks fell from seven during baseline to three during treatment, but this difference was not quite statistically significant (p = 0.06). Response varied between patients, with those whose attacks were most strongly tied to their menstrual cycle having the most benefit. All patients stopped menstruating and had suppressed estrogen and progesterone levels.
What it means for you
This is for a very rare metabolic disorder (porphyria), not typical PMS. The evidence of benefit was weak because the statistical difference was borderline (p = 0.06). Only 7 patients were studied. For patients whose porphyria crises are clearly linked to their menstrual cycle, ovulation suppression might help, but more evidence is needed.
7
patients with menstrual-related porphyria
7 to 3
median attacks before and during treatment
0.06
p-value (not statistically significant)
About the study
- Original title
- LHRH analogue treatment for the prevention of premenstrual attacks of acute porphyria
- Authors
- Herrick AL, McColl KE, Wallace AM et al.
- Journal
- The Quarterly journal of medicine
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Buserelin (LHRH analogue injection to suppress ovulation)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.qjmed.a068444
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