Systematic review, 2017
Do estrogen patches or gels help control PMS symptoms?
Estrogen patches and gels work by stopping ovulation and the hormone changes that cause PMS. However, the abstract does not provide results from the trials reviewed, so effectiveness cannot be assessed.
What they did
Systematic review of randomized trials comparing non-contraceptive estrogen preparations (patches, gels, or implants) versus placebo or other active treatments. Included women of reproductive age with PMS diagnosed by at least two prospective menstrual cycles. Searched multiple databases through March 2016.
What they found
Transdermal estradiol by patch, gel, or implant effectively stops ovulation and the cyclical hormonal changes that produce cyclical PMS symptoms. A seven-day course of progestin is required each month for endometrial protection. Results from the trials are not included in this abstract.
What it means for you
Estrogen preparations work by stopping ovulation and hormone fluctuations. The abstract is incomplete and does not show results from the reviewed trials, making it impossible to assess how effective this approach is or what side effects may occur.
7 days
progestin course duration per month
patches and gels
estrogen delivery methods
About the study
- Original title
- Non-contraceptive oestrogen-containing preparations for controlling symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Naheed B, Kuiper JH, Uthman OA et al.
- Journal
- The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
- Year
- 2017
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Non-contraceptive estrogen preparations versus placebo or active treatment
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd010503.pub2
Topics
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