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Survey study, 2014

Do herbal remedies or birth control pills improve quality of life for women with PMS?

Yes, both treatments led to statistically significant improvements in physical and psychological health, though this was an observational study without a control group for comparison.

Early or limited evidence 243 women aged 16-45 with moderate to severe PMS

What they did

Observed 243 women aged 16-45 with moderate to severe PMS. They completed a standard health questionnaire (MOSSF-36) twice, before and after treatment with either an herbal remedy (Vitex agnus castus) or birth control pills (20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone).

What they found

After treatment, both herbal remedies and birth control pills led to statistically significant decreases in physical and psychological health strain indicators.

What it means for you

Both approaches may help improve quality of life for women with PMS, but without a control group or randomization, we cannot be certain the improvements were from the treatment alone rather than from other factors.

243

women studied

16-45

age range (years)

29.7±5.8

mean age (years)

About the study

Original title
Quality of life of women with premenstrual syndrome in dynamics of nonhormonal treatment and hormonal therapy
Authors
Antonina Vitalievna Ledina, V N Prilepskaya
Journal
GYNECOLOGY
Year
2014
Study design
Survey study
Participants
243
What was tested
Herbal remedy (Vitex agnus castus) and birth control pills (20 mcg ethinyl estradiol, 3 mg drospirenone)
Open access
Yes

Topics