Randomised trial, 1976
Does bromocriptine help premenstrual syndrome and infertility?
Yes, bromocriptine improved PMS symptoms and was associated with pregnancies in women treated for infertility, likely by lowering the hormone prolactin.
What they did
Multiple studies of bromocriptine: First, 17 women with PMS received bromocriptine or placebo in a crossover design. Second, 34 women received bromocriptine 2-5 mg twice daily starting from cycle day 10 for 1 to 11 months. Third, 45 infertile women received bromocriptine for a total of 186 menstrual cycles.
What they found
In the first group, 5 women became pregnant and 10 who completed 2 cycles showed significant improvement in breast symptoms, swelling, weight gain, and mood. In the second group, women had marked or complete relief from PMS. In the third group, 23 women became pregnant, 2 had marked relief from PMS symptoms, and 20 had complete relief.
What it means for you
Bromocriptine may help PMS by lowering prolactin levels and may also help with fertility. The main limitations are that this is from 1976 with mixed study designs and some groups did not have placebo controls, so reliability by modern standards is limited.
17, 34, 45
women in three separate studies
23
became pregnant
20
had complete relief from PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual tension and functional infertility. Aetiology and treatment
- Authors
- Benedek-Jaszmann LJ, Hearn-Sturtevant MD
- Journal
- Lancet (London, England)
- Year
- 1976
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 45
- What was tested
- Bromocriptine 2-5 mg twice daily for 1 to 11 months.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(76)90062-3
Topics
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