Randomised trial, 1989
Does naproxen sodium help premenstrual symptoms?
Yes. Naproxen sodium reduced premenstrual and menstrual pain much more effectively than placebo. It also improved behavioral symptoms, likely because pain relief helped women function better.
What they did
Double-blind crossover trial with 34 women with premenstrual syndrome. Fourteen women took placebo for 3 cycles then naproxen sodium; 14 took naproxen from the start. The dose was 550 mg twice daily, starting 7 days before the period and continuing until the 4th day of the cycle. Six women dropped out.
What they found
Naproxen sodium reduced both premenstrual and menstrual pain much more effectively than placebo. Behavioral changes also improved, probably because pain relief improved women's ability to function.
What it means for you
Naproxen sodium is useful and safe for premenstrual pain-related symptoms. Six women dropped out and the sample is small, which limits confidence in the results.
34
women enrolled
550 mg
naproxen dose, twice daily
3 cycles
placebo phase duration
About the study
- Original title
- Naproxen sodium in the treatment of premenstrual symptoms. A placebo-controlled study
- Authors
- Facchinetti F, Fioroni L, Sances G et al.
- Journal
- Gynecologic and obstetric investigation
- Year
- 1989
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 34
- What was tested
- Naproxen sodium 550 mg twice daily from 7 days before period until 4th day of cycle
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1159/000293579
Topics
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