Non-randomised trial, 1991
Does mefenamic acid help PMS symptoms?
Yes. A randomized double blind trial of 15 women found that mefenamic acid 500 mg three times daily reduced irritability, anxiety, abdominal swelling, and headaches compared with placebo.
What they did
15 women with premenstrual tension received either mefenamic acid 500 mg or placebo three times daily from day 14 of one cycle until day 2 of the next cycle in a randomized double blind crossover design (each woman received both treatments in different cycles).
What they found
Mefenamic acid relieved irritability, anxiety, abdominal swelling, and headaches compared with placebo (P < 0.05, statistically significant).
What it means for you
Mefenamic acid, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, appears to help several PMS symptoms. This was a small study, so results need confirmation in larger trials.
15
women studied
500 mg
mefenamic acid dose
3 times daily
dosing frequency
About the study
- Original title
- Mefenamic Acid and the Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- MARGARET C. P. REES, J. Randle, Pat Yudkin
- Journal
- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Year
- 1991
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 15
- What was tested
- Mefenamic acid 500 mg three times daily, from day 14 of cycle to day 2 of next cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01443619109007785
Topics
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