Review, 1988
Are LHRH agonist drugs helpful for treating severe PMS?
LHRH agonists appear beneficial for some women with severe premenstrual tension but worsen symptoms in others. They cause serious side effects like bone loss, making them unsuitable as long-term treatment for younger women.
What they did
Review of research on LHRH agonist drugs and their use in managing premenstrual syndrome, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer.
What they found
LHRH agonists appear beneficial for managing some women with severe premenstrual tension but intensify symptoms in others. They work by suppressing ovarian function but cause adverse effects including loss of bone mass. Response depends on the degree of ovarian suppression.
What it means for you
These drugs are not practical as routine PMS treatment for younger women because they cause significant bone loss and help some women while worsening symptoms in others. The review notes that PMS shows high placebo response rates, making it difficult to assess true drug effectiveness.
About the study
- Original title
- LHRH analogues in the management of uterine fibroids, premenstrual syndrome and breast malignancies
- Authors
- West CP
- Journal
- Bailliere's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 1988
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- LHRH agonist drugs
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0950-3552(88)80053-1
Topics
Related studies
Review, 2018
Which women are most likely to experience hot flashes during menopause?
Review, 2012
Is depression linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause?
Survey study, 2003
Does migraine risk change during menopause in women with PMS?
Case-control study, 1994
Do women with a history of PMS have higher risk of osteoporosis?
Survey study, 2015
Does migraine increase during menopause, and can hormone therapy help?
Non-randomised trial, 2014
Does hormone therapy help women with depression linked to periods and menopause?