--- title: Is it safe to use hormone therapy alongside GnRH-agonist treatment for severe PMS? description: In this small study, yes. Hormone therapy appeared safe and effective, protecting bone health and controlling PMS symptoms. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevention-of-bone-loss-and-hypoestrogenic-symptoms-by-estrogen-and-interrupted-2002/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is it safe to use hormone therapy alongside GnRH-agonist treatment for severe PMS? Non-randomised trial, 2002 # Is it safe to use hormone therapy alongside GnRH-agonist treatment for severe PMS? In this small study, yes. Hormone therapy appeared safe and effective, protecting bone health and controlling PMS symptoms. Early or limited evidence 5 women with severe PMS from an academic medical center ## What they did Pilot non-randomized trial at an academic medical center. 5 women with severe PMS received GnRH-agonist injections (leuprolide acetate 3.75 mg monthly). After 1 month, hormone replacement therapy was added: 1 mg estradiol daily plus 0.35 mg norethindrone on alternating days. Women were followed for an average of 37.7 months. ## What they found Bone density in the spine and hip remained stable throughout treatment. No woman experienced return of pelvic pain or mood swings after starting hormone therapy. All women stopped having periods within the first 3 months of hormone therapy and remained without periods. ## What it means for you This combination may be safe for long-term use in severe PMS and may protect bone health. This was a small pilot study with no control group, so we cannot be sure the results apply more broadly or that the hormone therapy caused the good outcomes. Larger studies are needed. 5 Number of women with severe PMS 37.7 months Average length of follow-up for PMS patients 3 months Time until all women stopped having periods ## About the study Original title Prevention of bone loss and hypoestrogenic symptoms by estrogen and interrupted progestogen add-back in long-term GnRH-agonist down-regulated patients with endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome Authors Mitwally MF, Gotlieb L, Casper RF Journal Menopause (New York, N.Y.) Year 2002 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 15 What was tested GnRH-agonist (leuprolide) plus hormone therapy with estradiol and norethindrone Read the paper [doi.org/10.1097/00042192-200207000-00004](https://doi.org/10.1097/00042192-200207000-00004) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2012 Do GnRH agonist drugs treat PMS? Review, 2012 How can doctors manage premenstrual-like symptoms caused by hormonal treatments containing progestogen? Randomised trial, 1996 Does hormone replacement therapy prevent low-estrogen side effects of GnRH agonist treatment for severe PMS? Systematic review, 2023 What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy? Randomised trial, 2012 Do hysterectomy or hormonal IUDs reduce premenstrual symptoms in women with heavy periods? Systematic review, 2007 What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗