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.
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
Topics
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