Randomised trial, 1987
Does progesterone suppository help premenstrual syndrome?
No, progesterone vaginal suppositories (200 mg) did not reduce PMS symptoms more than placebo. This was a small study of 30 women.
What they did
30 women with PMS took progesterone vaginal suppositories (200 mg) during one cycle and placebo during another cycle in a double-blind study. Researchers compared physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms between the progesterone and placebo cycles.
What they found
There were no significant differences in physical, psychological, or behavioral symptoms when progesterone cycles were compared with placebo or baseline cycles.
What it means for you
Progesterone suppositories don't appear to work better than placebo for PMS. This was one of the first controlled studies of progesterone treatment, challenging earlier uncontrolled studies that suggested it helped. The study was small, so more research is needed.
30
women studied
200 mg
progesterone dose
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome: a double blind placebo controlled study of treatment with progesterone vaginal suppositories
- Authors
- Andrea J. Rapkin, Lin Chang, Anthony E. Reading
- Journal
- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Progesterone vaginal suppositories 200 mg
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01443618709068522
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2020
Does progesterone therapy help premenstrual syndrome in women with PCOS?
Randomised trial, 2013
Does progesterone reduce PMS symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?
Case report, 2012
How can doctors tell the difference between severe PMS and bipolar disorder?
Survey study, 2005
Does drospirenone hormone therapy reduce weight gain and PMS-like symptoms?
Systematic review, 2023
What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?
Survey study, 2022
What causes PMS and PMDD and what new treatments are being studied?