---
title: Do women with PMS respond differently to sedative medications?
description: Yes, women with PMS showed reduced sensitivity to benzodiazepine medication, particularly during the premenstrual phase, compared to other women.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/reduced-benzodiazepine-sensitivity-in-patients-with-premenstrual-syndrome-a-1997/
---

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- Do women with PMS respond differently to sedative medications?

Randomised trial, 1997

# Do women with PMS respond differently to sedative medications?

Yes, women with PMS showed reduced sensitivity to benzodiazepine medication, particularly during the premenstrual phase, compared to other women.

 Early or limited evidence

Seven women with confirmed PMS and seven women without PMS

## What they did

Seven women with confirmed PMS and seven control women received increasing doses of diazepam (a sedative) and placebo. Researchers measured eye movement speed and sedation levels in response to each dose.

## What they found

Women with PMS showed significantly less reduction in eye movement speed and less increase in sedation after diazepam compared to control women, with the largest differences during the premenstrual phase.

## What it means for you

Women with PMS may have altered sensitivity in the brain system involved in calming and relaxation, especially in the premenstrual phase. This was a very small pilot study that would need to be repeated to confirm the findings.

7

women with PMS

7

control women

## About the study

Original title Reduced benzodiazepine sensitivity in patients with premenstrual syndrome: a pilot study Authors Sundström I, Ashbrook D, Bäckström T Journal Psychoneuroendocrinology Year 1997 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Increasing doses of diazepam versus placebo Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(96)00035-2](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0306-4530(96)00035-2)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiolytics and other psychotropics](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-anxiolytics/)

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, 2015

What treatments work best for PMDD and PMS?

Systematic review, 2007

What treatments work for premenstrual syndrome?

Randomised trial, 2004

What medications work for PMDD when taken only during the second half of the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2003

How do menstrual cycle hormones affect the brain and cause mood disorders like PMDD?

Review, 2002

What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD?

Study, 1997

What medications work best for treating PMS?

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