Study, 1979
Does dydrogesterone or pyridoxine work better for premenstrual syndrome?
Dydrogesterone worked for 70% of women with premenstrual syndrome, while pyridoxine worked for 55%. At least 3 months of treatment is needed to see if either helps.
What they did
Researchers treated 500 women with premenstrual syndrome over 5 years as part of a larger study of 2000 women. Women received either dydrogesterone (10 mg twice daily from day 12 to day 26 of the cycle), pyridoxine (40 mg twice daily), or in some cases spironolactone, bromocriptine, or MAOIs. Researchers tracked whether women were cured or greatly relieved of their symptoms.
What they found
Dydrogesterone produced an overall response rate of 70%, meaning 70% of women were cured or greatly relieved. Pyridoxine had an overall response of 55%. Some women who did not respond to dydrogesterone benefitted greatly from pyridoxine.
What it means for you
Dydrogesterone appears more effective overall, especially for fluid retention and depression. Pyridoxine may work better for breast discomfort. This was observational rather than a controlled comparison, so we cannot be certain which is truly better. At least 3 months of treatment is needed to assess effectiveness.
70%
women greatly relieved or cured with dydrogesterone
55%
women greatly relieved or cured with pyridoxine
500
women treated in this analysis
About the study
- Original title
- The clinician's view of patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- RONALD W. TAYLOR, C. E. James
- Journal
- Current Medical Research and Opinion
- Year
- 1979
- Study design
- Study
- Participants
- 500
- What was tested
- Dydrogesterone, pyridoxine, spironolactone, bromocriptine, or MAOIs
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1185/03007997909110098
Topics
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