Randomised trial, 1991
Does danazol help severe premenstrual syndrome?
Yes. Danazol was much more effective than placebo for overall symptoms and for specific symptoms including breast discomfort, irritability, mood swings, crying, low libido, and abdominal swelling.
What they did
Double-blind crossover study with 37 women with severe premenstrual syndrome. Nineteen women received danazol for 3 months followed by placebo; 18 women received placebo first then danazol. The dose was 100 mg twice daily.
What they found
Overall condition improved much more often with danazol than with placebo. Danazol provided clear improvement in breast discomfort, irritability, depression, anxiety, mood swings, crying, decreased libido, and abdominal swelling compared to placebo.
What it means for you
Danazol is effective and generally well tolerated for severe PMS. The study is small and uses a crossover design where women experienced both treatments in sequence, which may create some carryover effects.
37
women in study
100 mg
danazol dose, twice daily
3 months
treatment period
About the study
- Original title
- Low dose danazol in the treatment of the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Deeny M, Hawthorn R, McKay Hart D
- Journal
- Postgraduate medical journal
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Danazol 100 mg twice daily for 3 months
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.67.787.450
Topics
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